Mattia Binotto calls for "clean execution" as he takes charge of Audi F1 Team

Audi’s Formula 1 project enters a new phase this weekend, with Mattia Binotto officially stepping into the team principal role following the sudden departure of Jonathan Wheatley.

Leadership shift at a crucial moment

Wheatley and former Ferrari boss Binotto had formed a double-headed leadership structure at the team, which will transition into Audi’s full works entry in 2026 after taking over Sauber. Binotto had been formally appointed as Audi’s ‘Head of F1 project’ by CEO Gernot Dollner, overseeing the broader competitive direction.

Reliability and execution under the spotlight

Audi heads into the third round of the season in Suzuka having endured a disrupted start to the year. The team recorded a Did Not Start in both Australia and China, underlining the operational and reliability challenges it has faced.

In Melbourne, Nico Hulkenberg failed to take the start, while in Shanghai Gabriel Bortoleto was unable to begin the race. Hulkenberg also retired from the Sprint event in China. Bortoleto did manage to salvage two points with a ninth-place finish in Australia, offering a glimpse of underlying pace.

For Binotto, however, the priority is clear.

"As we head into the third round of the season in Suzuka, the focus is increasingly on clean execution," he said.

"Everyone, us as well as our rivals, is getting on top of the new cars, so the margins for error become slimmer. We’ve seen encouraging signs in terms of pace over the first two races, but we understand there are areas where we can still improve – both in performance and execution."

Building momentum without disruption

Binotto confirmed the team has taken time to address the reliability concerns that hampered its opening rounds, with the immediate objective of ensuring both cars can complete races without interruption.

"We’ve taken time to address the reliability issues we faced previously, looking to ensure they won’t happen again and that both cars will be able to run their full races without disruption."

With the competitive field tightening as teams gain familiarity with their new machinery, operational sharpness becomes decisive. Binotto’s message is unmistakable: progress is not just about outright pace, but about eliminating mistakes.

"The journey continues: the target now is to keep building, keep learning and make the most of every opportunity."

As Audi recalibrates under a single leader, Suzuka marks the first test of whether that renewed focus on clean execution can translate into stability — and results — on track.