Audi Announces Major F1 Management … read more
In a significant shake-up ahead of their much-anticipated debut in Formula 1, Audi has announced a major management restructuring within their motorsport division. The announcement follows the departure of chief executive officer Adam Baker, who had been instrumental in steering the German manufacturer’s entry into Formula 1. As Audi prepares to take over the Sauber F1 team in 2026, this reshuffle reflects the brand’s effort to solidify leadership and streamline operations during a pivotal transition.
Baker’s exit marks yet another management change for Audi as they work to build a competitive team capable of challenging the elite of Formula 1. He had overseen much of the groundwork for Audi’s entry into the sport and played a key role in their strategic direction. However, the reins will now be passed on to a new leadership structure, with a trio of experienced figures taking charge of Audi’s F1 ambitions.
Leading the reshaped structure is Mattia Binotto, who has been elevated to head of the Audi F1 project. Binotto, a seasoned Formula 1 figure and former Ferrari team principal, joined Audi in July 2024 as the team’s Chief Operating and Technical Officer. His promotion is a clear signal of Audi’s intent to rely on seasoned F1 experience as they push toward their 2026 debut. Binotto will now oversee both the car’s overall design and the development of the power unit.
Alongside Binotto, Jonathan Wheatley continues in his role as team principal. Wheatley, formerly Red Bull Racing’s sporting director, brings a wealth of trackside expertise and leadership to the project. His responsibilities will focus on race-day operations and team performance at Grand Prix weekends, ensuring Audi’s operations are executed with precision when they hit the track. The duo of Binotto and Wheatley is expected to form a stable and technically proficient leadership core.
Supporting the senior leadership is the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer, Christian Foyer. Foyer will assume many of the operational duties previously held by Adam Baker, ensuring the team’s infrastructure and logistics are managed efficiently as Audi builds up its competitive capabilities. His addition is seen as a strategic move to further professionalize the operational side of the program during a period of rapid growth and planning.
Audi’s Formula 1 project is split between several key locations, each critical to different elements of the team’s operations. Binotto will take direct responsibility for the power unit development facility located in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany. This site is dedicated to the design and production of Audi’s new-generation hybrid engines, developed under the 2026 Formula 1 regulations.
In parallel, car design and manufacturing will be based in Hinwil, Switzerland – the long-time home of the Sauber team. Audi is leveraging Sauber’s existing infrastructure and experienced staff while making significant investments to modernize facilities and align them with the high standards expected of a factory F1 team.
In an additional strategic move, Audi is also scouting a potential UK base to establish a satellite design team. The aim is to tap into the deep well of motorsport expertise located in England’s south-east, often referred to as “Motorsport Valley.” This region is home to many of the sport’s leading engineers and designers, and Audi hopes to attract top-tier talent without requiring relocation to Germany or Switzerland.
Despite the recent turbulence, Audi remains committed to their F1 project. Their entry into the sport was heavily influenced by the 2026 engine regulations, which will focus on hybrid power units with a greater reliance on sustainable fuels and increased electrical output. The original vision for the new rules, which emphasized environmental sustainability and cost control, aligned closely with Audi’s corporate values and technological direction.
There had been concerns within Audi over recent discussions in the F1 community about a possible return to louder and more powerful V10 engines. However, the FIA has confirmed that such a move has been rejected. Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s single-seater technical director, emphasized the importance of regulatory stability. He reassured manufacturers like Audi that no sudden changes would be made to the 2026 power unit framework, safeguarding their investments and long-term planning.
With its leadership now reshaped and development continuing across multiple international sites, Audi’s entry into Formula 1 is beginning to take final form. The management restructure underlines the seriousness of their ambition—not just to join the grid, but to eventually challenge for podiums and championships. As 2026 draws closer, the motorsport world will be watching closely to see how one of Germany’s most iconic brands performs on the biggest stage in motorsport.
