Mattia Binotto has used his past at Ferrari to draw in talent to Audi’s F1 campaign
Wolf Zimmermann, project leader for Ferrari’s 2026 power unit, will allegedly depart the team once the development has been completed for the team’s 2026 challenger. Also understood to be leaving is Lars Schmidt, former Lead Engineer for the performance development of the team.
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Binotto has used his former premiership at the historic team to poach talent from Fred Vasseur’s current operation. Currently overseeing Kick Sauber, Binotto has remained a steady presence in the Formula 1 paddock since his departure from the team. Once Audi officially replaces Kick-Sauber, he will continue to head the Audi Project and is currently operating as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer for Sauber.
Will Audi be able to carry momentum from the 2025 season into their debut?
It seems that Audi will be heading into 2026 with momentum as they prepare to take over the Kick-Sauber team. They have an established team leader in the form of Binotto, who has an extensive history in the sport, as well as an impressive line-up of proven engineers, and Jonathan Wheatley, former Sporting Director for Red Bull, will be staying on as Team Principal.
Audi has invested a large sum in research and development for their engines, which they will be bringing with them into the 2026 season. It is clear that there is a lot of belief in the project, and Binotto has already expressed his bold expectations for their competitiveness, aiming for a title fight by 2030.
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The team has built an impressive facility in Oxfordshire, England, complementing their Swiss factory, where most operations are based, run by Sauber Motorsport. The power unit has been developed in Germany, where there has been a steadily growing workforce over the last few years.
