Audi questioned for signing Binotto: 'He has more to prove'

F1 News

Herbert criticises Audi for Binotto signing
3 August at 07:00
Last update 3 August at 09:11
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  • Sophia Crothall
  • Editor

Audi have made a string of decisions in recent weeks, as they prepare to enter the Formula 1 grid in 2026. Most recently, the team announced the signing of Jonathan Wheatley as the team principal. Before that though, they confirmed the appointment of Mattia Binotto. Former racing driver Johnny Herbert has criticised the German team for this decision. 

Audi took a big step as they continue to prepare for 2026. At the end of July, they announced they had signed former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto as their Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer. With this, it means Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffman would depart from the team. On Thursday, the team also revealed that Wheatley would be joining as the team principal. The Red Bull Racing Sporting Director will leave the Austrian team at the end of the season before making the move. The Brit will work alongside Binotto, jointly forming the new management team. Whilst Wheatley will focus on the racing performance of Audi, Binotto will take over the operational management, and the technical development of future racing cars. 

Has Audi made the right choice signing Binotto? 

Herbert has therefore questioned this decision: “I was pretty surprised that Andreas [Seidl] had been pushed aside with regard to the speed and development of Audi ahead of 2026. His reputation was high. But there has obviously been a shift in emphasis at Audi," he said on the website Topoffshoresportsbrooks.com.

Binotto held the role of team principal at Ferrari between 2019 and 2022. During this time, Ferrari lost out on Constructors titles to both Mercedes and Red Bull. For this reason, Herbert has wondered why he was appointed at Audi: “Binotto did not quite achieve enough at Ferrari so he has more to prove than Andreas did. I am not sure it is the right thing," he concluded.