Binotto: Sauber needs ‘winning mindset’ to escape survival mode

Sauber's Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer, Mattia Binotto, has made a resolute call for sweeping cultural changes at the Swiss Formula 1 outfit, insisting that “a lot needs to be done” to instill a winning mindset.

With Audi's highly anticipated 2026 debut as Sauber’s works partner on the horizon, Binotto is spearheading a transformative overhaul aimed at revitalizing the struggling team.

The Italian, who joined the Hinwil-based squad in August 2024 after a storied tenure as Ferrari’s Team Principal, inherited a team in disarray.

Sauber endured a dismal 2024 campaign, finishing last in the Constructors' Championship with just four points.

The departure of key executives Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann compounded the challenge, but Binotto has taken on the dual leadership role with an eye toward long-term success.

• Read also: Sauber finds its ‘Northern Star’ under Binotto’s leadership

Reflecting on the uphill battle ahead, the Sauber chief did not shy away from acknowledging the depth of change required.

Speaking at the end of last season, he agreed with outgoing driver Valtteri Bottas’s assertion that the team lacked a winning mentality.

“I fully agree with him,” Binotto admitted. “As a matter of fact, I think that team in the last years and decade has been there surviving, in a survival mode.

“So, at the end, it was about surviving, participating, trying to get the best out of it. But a winning mentality, a winning mindset, it's a different approach.

“So, there is certainly a lot that needs to be done in terms of culture, in terms of behaviours.”

Beyond Survival: Building a New Identity

Binotto’s remarks reflect the need for a complete shift in mindset at Hinwil. Historically, Sauber has operated on tight budgets, often prioritizing survival over competitive ambition.

But with Audi’s entry as a works partner and the Qatar Investment Authority acquiring a minority stake in Sauber Holding AG, the team now has the financial backing to think bigger.

“It's a long journey, we know about that, and acting on behaviours, maybe it's even the most difficult, but we have started our journey,” Binotto said.

©Sauber

Under his leadership, the team has already begun making significant moves. An all-new driver lineup for the 2025 season underscores the intent to reset.

Promising young rookie Gabriel Bortoleto has joined xxperienced veteran Nico Hülkenber, signaling a blend of proven talent and fresh potential.

“I think we've got a few projects... I have to say that since I started already a lot has happened since then, which is not only the improvement at the racetrack, signing Bortoleto, having a new line-up for next year,” Binotto added.

Financial Boost and Long-Term Vision

Binotto also emphasized the importance of the Qatar Investment Authority’s involvement, describing it as a pivotal step toward transforming Sauber into a competitive force.

“It's about Qatar as well, investment and partnership – which for us, it's a lot of capital injection – but also showing that overall as a team we are moving in that direction with the right approach, the right thinking, thinking big, which is exactly the mindset we're discussing about,” he said.

The injection of funds and the Audi partnership provide Sauber with the tools to grow, but the cultural change Binotto envisions remains a complex and long-term endeavor.

As Audi ramps up its preparations for its 2026 entry, Binotto’s immediate focus will be on setting the foundation for a team that can match the ambitious expectations of its new stakeholders.

Sauber’s journey from a team stuck in "survival mode" to one capable of challenging the elite will not happen overnight, but Binotto’s vision is clear.

Change, he insists, must go beyond the drivers or cars and take root in the mindset and behavior of every individual at Hinwil.

Only then can Sauber hope to rise from the back of the grid and become a true contender in Formula 1’s fiercely competitive landscape.

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