Latest news with #MattiaBinotto
Top Gear
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Audi is restructuring its Formula 1 team once again
Formula One CEO Adam Baker has left Audi's F1 project already, with Mattia Binotto given more power Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Was Audi aware just how tricky it'd be to set up its new Formula 1 team? Given how many times things have changed behind the scenes, we'd argue it probably wasn't. And now there's been yet another spin of the managerial merry-go-round, with CEO of the project Adam Baker leaving 'by mutual agreement'. Advertisement - Page continues below That CEO role is apparently now considered obsolete, and former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has been given more power as he's been promoted to 'Head of Audi F1 Project'. We're told Binotto will now be responsible for 'development activities at the Hinwil and Neuburg an der Donau facilities, as well as at the future technical centre in England'. Christian Foyer, who has previous with Lotus, will now join as chief operating officer of Audi Formula Racing GmbH. That's the separate company responsible for Audi's new F1-spec hybrid powertrains. However, Stefan Dreyer will continue his role as CTO for said company, and will now take on the additional role of 'spokesperson for the AFR management board'. You might like Oh, and former Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley is team principal and 'management board spokesperson' at Sauber Motorsport AG in preparation for the takeover. READ MORE Audi has sold off a 'significant' chunk of its F1 team… Advertisement - Page continues below 'We would like to thank Adam Baker for his commitment over the past years,' said Audi's big boss Gernot Döllner. 'He played a decisive role in shaping the overall strategic concept for the entry of Audi into Formula 1 and got the development of the power unit in Neuburg off the ground. 'With Christian Foyer, we are now bringing a proven expert in process structures in F1 powertrain development into the project. His experience will help ensure the synergistic cooperation and necessary speed on the journey we have embarked upon regarding the debut.' It's just under 10 months until Audi's F1 debut, so it better get cracking with more of that 'synergistic cooperation' if it wants to rapidly improve the fortunes of the current Sauber team. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
TimesLIVE
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Audi F1 project boss Baker leaves by mutual agreement
Former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto is head of the overall project with Jonathan Wheatley, who joined Swiss-based Sauber in April from Red Bull, leading the race operations as team principal. Sauber, last in the constructors' standings after six races, are becoming the Audi factory team next season when the sport also starts a new engine era. Audi's engines are being built in Bavaria but Sauber/Audi are also setting up an engineering base in Britain. "We would like to thank Adam Baker for his commitment over the past years," said Gernot Doellner, chair of the Volkswagen-owned brand. "He played a decisive role in shaping the overall strategic concept for the entry of Audi into Formula One and got the development of the power unit in Neuburg off the ground. "With Christian Foyer, we are bringing a proven expert in process structures in F1 powertrain development into the project. "His experience will help ensure the synergistic cooperation and necessary speed on the journey we have embarked on regarding the debut." Baker was a veteran of the former BMW Sauber team, a project that soured and led to BMW's departure in 2009.
The Independent
04-02-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Audi F1 announce major update with new UK hub ahead of 2026 entry
Audi have announced that they will establish a motorsport technology centre in the UK ahead of their Formula 1 entry next year. Sauber, who are transitioning to Audi for 2026, have confirmed that potential F1 hub spots in the UK – in the country's 'motorsport valley' around Bicester, Silverstone and Milton Keynes – are currently being evaluated. The team insist this new base, which they hope to have operational this summer, will allow access to the world's 'largest motorsport expertise and talent pool.' A number of top teams, such as Mercedes in Brackley, McLaren in Woking, Aston Martin in Silverstone and Red Bull in Milton Keynes, currently have their bases in the UK. Sauber COO and CTO Mattia Binotto said: 'We are excited to establish our technical centre in the UK to complement our key site in Hinwil, which will continue to lead our main engineering operations and experience the largest team growth. 'Expanding into the UK allows us to remain close to one of the world's most dynamic motorsport ecosystems. 'Our vision is to create a strong, collaborative network across Hinwil and the UK, driving innovation and performance." The team also acknowledge that there are around 25,000 industry professionals based in the UK. A statement added: 'This initiative is a key component of the Audi F1 Project's long-term strategy to enhance and expand its technical capabilities.' Sauber, who finished last in 2024, have two new drivers this year in the shape of German veteran Nico Hulkenberg and Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto. Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu were dropped after three years as teammates.
