Mattia Binotto, Audi’s F1 chief operating officer, has outlined the massive challenge the team faces as it transforms from Sauber into a full-fledged title contender by the end of the decade.
Comparing the journey to scaling Mount Everest, Binotto emphasized that Audi's entry into the sport is not a short-term venture, but one driven by a long-term commitment to winning in Formula 1.
The German automotive giant has taken full ownership of Sauber which will transition into the Audi works F1 team next season before the manufacturer’s official entry into Grand Prix racing in 2026.
The project is ambitious, with Audi developing an all-new power unit in-house and restructuring Sauber’s organization to prepare for success.
The addition last summer of Binotto, Ferrari’s former team principal, as a central figure in the effort underscores Audi's intent to compete at the highest level.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Binotto didn’t shy away from acknowledging the magnitude of the task ahead.
“It’s not only climbing a big mountain, it’s climbing Everest,” he said. “It will take several years. Our objective is by the end of the decade to be able to fight for the championships.”
The Italian’s statement sets a clear timeline, with Audi aiming to challenge for F1 titles around 2030, or its fifth season in the sport.
Since officially starting in August 2024, Binotto has spent time familiarizing himself with both the Sauber factory in Hinwil, Switzerland, and Audi’s power unit development facility in Neuburg, Germany.
He has also been trackside to observe the team in action. However, despite his extensive experience leading Ferrari’s F1 team, Binotto has noted significant differences between the current Sauber operation and the Scuderia’s operations in Maranello.
“When you are here and you start looking into the details, the more you look, the more you realize where you are and what are the main differences to what I knew from before at Ferrari,” Binotto explained.
“Certainly the gap and the differences are many and the gap is big. It’s big because of dimensions, because of the number of people, because of mindset, because of tools, facilities. Whenever you look around, it is really comparing a small team to a top team.”
The Sauber team has struggled throughout the 2024 season, falling to the back of the grid and remaining the only squad without a point to its name with just six races to go.
Binotto attributes some of this to the complex transition taking place behind the scenes as Audi prepares for its official 2026 entry.
“When Audi bought some shares and had the programme to become the full owner in the future, internally some plans have been done, some strategic plans have been discussed and established but not yet come to execution,” he explained.
“So Sauber have been remaining in a limbo for a while."
The 54-year-old further explained that some of the team's focus had shifted away from immediate performance toward ensuring Audi is ready to hit the ground running in 2026.
“Certainly some of the focus and energies were put towards 2026, to try to make sure Audi was ready to start, and that took off some energy from the normal development path for 2024 and 2025,” he said.
©Audi/Sauber
Despite the team's current struggles and the daunting task ahead, Binotto remains optimistic about the long-term future.
He stressed that Audi’s entry into Formula 1 is a serious, enduring commitment, dismissing any speculation that the brand could withdraw if success doesn’t come quickly.
“Audi joined F1 to be here and stay here,” commented Binotto. “They will do so until we win and after. It is a long-term commitment to the sport.
“We intend to become a winning team and to set the benchmark and to stay then.
“It is not a joining and leaving. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport. It is great Audi is part of it finally, and they are simply committed to stay.”
The road ahead may be steep, but with Audi’s resources and Binotto’s leadership, the team is gearing up for a long-term ascent, with its eyes set firmly on championship glory by the end of the decade.
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