"Team was almost frozen": Binotto reveals turmoil in Audi F1 transition

Former Ferrari boss details challenges faced after taking helm from Seidl at struggling Sauber-Audi outfit

Mattia Binotto has shed light on the considerable challenges he encountered upon taking charge of Audi's Formula 1 project, describing a team that had become "frozen" under previous leadership.

The Italian, who replaced Andreas Seidl following a management shake-up in July, has painted a stark picture of an organization that had lost its way in the present while fixating on future ambitions.

Immediate challenges

The situation Binotto inherited was far from ideal, with the team struggling to make meaningful progress in its current form.

"When I joined in August, really, it was like a team that was almost frozen,"

Binotto revealed to Autosport, highlighting the immediate concerns he faced upon arrival.

The lack of current development particularly alarmed the former Ferrari team principal, who found an organization solely focused on its 2026 entry as a full Audi works team.

Present vs future balance

Binotto emphasized the importance of maintaining competitive momentum in the present while building for the future.

"Everything was only focused on '26, but that was for me somehow a problem because I think that a team needs always to fight on track,"

he explained. This philosophy marks a significant departure from his predecessor's approach, which appeared to prioritize long-term planning at the expense of current performance.

Performance understanding

The new team principal stressed the vital role of active competition in developing team capabilities.

"It's only by fighting, competing on track, that you can understand how good you're doing and if whatever you're doing is going the right direction,"

Binotto asserted. His emphasis on practical learning through racing underscores a fundamental shift in approach from the previous management's strategy.