Mattia Binotto Reveals Ambitious Plans for Sauber’s Transformation Into Audi F1 Team

Mattia Binotto, newly appointed CEO of Sauber — the Formula 1 team preparing to become Audi’s official works outfit — has outlined an ambitious transformation strategy for the struggling team.

According to a report by Motorsport.com, Binotto stressed a long-term vision and structural overhaul to bring Sauber from the bottom of the grid to title contention under the Audi F1 banner.

Hinwil Team Starts Early with Big Changes

Currently rooted at the bottom of the 2025 constructors’ standings with just six points, Sauber is undergoing a significant operational revamp. Binotto stressed that individual roles matter less than the overall team effort.

“It’s not my time, the individual doesn’t count in this effort, but the team. This is the time needed to win,” Binotto said, referring to a five-year strategy to turn the team into a winning outfit.

Key Initiatives Underway:

• Construction of new facilities at the Hinwil base
• Expansion of internal manufacturing capacity
• Development of a new simulator
• Upgrades to the wind tunnel
• Launch of a technology center in the UK

A Shift from Customer Team to Factory Team

The team celebrated its 600th Grand Prix at Imola this season, a milestone now marking the start of a new identity. Officially, the Audi works team will debut in 2026, but internal changes are already taking place.

“Audi has not only won wherever it has participated but has always innovated, and I believe this is the guiding principle of the brand,” Binotto stated.

Integrating Swiss Precision with German Efficiency

In addition to technical upgrades, Binotto emphasized the cultural integration necessary for success. As a team built on Swiss foundations, Sauber will now align with Audi’s German motorsport philosophy.

Binotto believes that building a winning team goes beyond equipment and facilities — it starts with uniting people under a shared goal.