Andreas Seidl has been removed from his position as the head of Audi’s Formula 1 project and replaced by former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto.
The decision to replace Seidl, who held the role for 19 months, comes amid concerns about the progress of the Sauber team, which Audi has taken over as the foundation for its F1 entry in 2026.
Oliver Hoffmann, previously chairman of the boards of all Sauber companies, has also been removed from his role.
Binotto, who was replaced as Ferrari team principal following the 2022 season, has assumed the role of chief operating and chief technical officer.
Gernot Döllner, the new chairman of the boards of Sauber companies, stated: “With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in F1, [Binotto] will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution for Audi. Our aim is to bring the entire F1 project up to F1 speed by means of clear management structures, defined responsibilities, reduced interfaces, and efficient decision-making processes. For this purpose, the team must be able to act independently and quickly.”
Seidl began his role with Audi in January 2023, following a four-year tenure with McLaren. He was tasked with preparing Audi for its F1 entry in 2026, when new regulations for chassis and engine will come into effect.
Sources close to Seidl indicate that he became frustrated with Audi’s perceived delay in fully committing to the F1 project, particularly regarding the transformation of Sauber. This delay reportedly impacted the driver market, as Audi signed German veteran Nico Hulkenberg for the 2025 season but has yet to secure a second driver for the upcoming year.
Tensions also emerged between Hoffmann and Seidl over the project’s management style. Sauber, racing under the Alfa Romeo name last season, finished ninth out of ten teams in the constructors’ championship. This season, they are in last place after 13 of 24 races, having not scored any points and holding the slowest average qualifying pace.
In June 2023, Seidl recruited James Key as technical director, three months after Key’s departure from McLaren following the implementation of a new technical structure aimed at improving team performance. McLaren has since become a leading team and is competing as a regular frontrunner this season for the first time in 12 years.
Audi had initially set a target of being competitive and winning races within three years of its F1 entry.
