Binotto explains the reason for coming back into Formula One
"A completely blank sheet of paper." That is what former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto mentioned as the main reason to return to Formula One after having been away from the pinnacle of motosport for almost two years.
As preparations for entering the highest class of motorsports are going full speed, Audi announced the appointment of former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto at the end of July to head up its Formula 1 project as part of a major management shake-up.
The Swiss-Italian returned to F1 after parting ways with Ferrari at the end of the 2022 season. Binotto started his new position as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer (COO and CTO) on the 1st of August.
Asked why he elected to return to the stressful environment of Formula One, Binotto noted: "I missed racing, I missed the concept of a team. But I agreed to come back only because I'm starting from a completely blank sheet of paper. That's the charm of the challenge."
Pushed on by Corriere della Sera to explain what he was missing while away from the sport, Binotto noted: "I was starting from a blank sheet of paper. In the 18 months I spent away from racing I missed the competition, being part of a team, sharing effort, ambitions and goals.
"Having the desire to start again, the only attractive challenge for me was that of Audi, the most ambitious. It wouldn't have made sense to join a team that already works. Here instead I can build, I relive part of my past and also for this reason it's fascinating."
Speaking of the priorities in the Audi program, Binotto has stated that the German marque is aware of the task it faces at the pinnacle of motorsport.
"To be in F1 (the official entry will be in 2026, ed. ), to stay there for a long time to create a winning team and become a reference in technology. We are at the beginning of the climb, Everest is in front of us and now we can only see the base. We are deciding which side to climb, it is important to establish a path."
"We need to work on the company itself, on its size, on its culture. If we compare ourselves with our competitors, we have about 400 fewer people, we need to add them to be able to compete at the same level: they can't be found in two days, and not necessarily in F1. Our choice is to invest in young people."
While Sauber has already announced that Nico Hulkenberg will join the team for the 2025 F1 season, the Hinwil-based outfit is yet to decide who will partner the German driver. While its two drivers Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas have a chance to stay with the team, Mick Schumacher has also been mentioned recently.
"We can afford the luxury of not rushing, since all the other teams have decided their line-up. Two essential aspects: on the one hand, experience to set the growth path. On the other, a young, talented driver who can accompany us on the path to the top».
Regarding Mick Schumacher, Bintto said that " we are evaluating it. I met him and spoke to him, I have known him for a long time having been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. I know his strengths and weaknesses, he is one of the names we have in mind."
Reflecting on his stint with Ferrari that lastest over two decades, Binotto has confirmed that he is still "happy" when Ferrari wins.
"They were twenty-eight years in which I received a lot. I feel lucky to have been part of an extraordinary story, a period of fantastic victories to which I contributed.
"If I then think about my experience as team principal, it was a wonderful challenge: there was a team coming off difficult years that needed to be relaunched. We had to rebuild the foundations for a solid organization, also focusing on young talents."
"Since I was a child I have supported Ferrari. At home I still have many photos and objects, the past cannot be erased. Then there are professional choices, things must remain separate. Today I am still happy when I see the red (cars) win, I am happy above all for that team that I know thoroughly and to which I believe I have made a contribution".
