Former Ferrari boss gets Guenther Steiner's backing as he gets ready to take over the top role at Audi
Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner claimed that former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto was the correct person for the top role at the Audi F1 project. The Swiss-Italian took over the project before the summer break from Andreas Seidl and was named the CEO and COO of Audi F1.
The German manufacturer will assume full control of the Kick Sauber F1 at the end of the 2025 season as the sport heads into the new engine regulations in 2026. The Hinwil-based team has been struggling in terms of performances and results in the 2024 season as they are the only team to not score points this year.
Former McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl was appointed as Audi CEO in 2023 and was in charge of overseeing the transition of the Swiss team to the German brand before it became official in 2026.
In his column for F1.com, Guenther Steiner spoke about the challenge in front of the former Ferrari team boss as he takes over the role from Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann as the head of the Audi F1 project. He wrote:
"I’ve known him for a long time. He has a lot of work in front of him but that’s normal for a new entry and he’s ready for the challenge. He wanted the bicycle, now he has to pedal! It’s in Mattia’s hands. He said it himself, this is not where Audi can be but he’s got the experience through 28 years working at Ferrari."
"He knows all the structures and processes that a big team like Ferrari have got. The challenge is now to implement that at Sauber/Audi and I am confident he is the right person to move them forward," he added.
Guenther Steiner gives his take on Oliver Bearman standing in for Kevin Magnussen
Guenther Steiner stated that Oliver Bearman was an 'obvious' choice for the American team to stand in for Kevin Magnussen while the Danish driver serves his race ban.
Magnussen was given two penalty points for his incident with Alpine F1 driver Pierre Gasly and the Italian GP last weekend. It took his tally to 12 penalty points on his FIA Superlicense, forcing him to sit out the upcoming Azerbaijan GP this weekend.
In his column, Steiner said:
"Ollie was the obvious choice to stand in for him at Haas. It’s also going to be a reality check. Jumping in a Ferrari is one thing, jumping in one that isn’t doing podiums is a different thing to get your head around."
"But it’s good for him to get in the car ahead of his full-time debut with the team next year. He did a great job for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia and I’m sure he’ll do a good job in Baku – and then next season," he added.
The Ferrari junior driver has already signed a full-time contract with the Haas F1 team for the 2025 season after impressing everyone with this one-off stint with the Italian team in Saudi Arabia.