The Audi Revolut F1 Team management restructure

The Audi Revolut F1 Team management structure underwent a complete reorganization to prepare for the 2026 season. Audi AG completed the takeover of Sauber Holding AG in January 2025. This shift replaces the previous leadership of Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann. Mattia Binotto leads the project as the Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer. He assumed this role on August 1. He reports directly to the board of directors. The reorganization eliminated the CEO position entirely. Christian Foyer took the position of Chief Operating Officer on May 1. He brings 18 years of experience in operations and project management for various F1 teams and manufacturers. He manages the operational processes that Adam Baker previously handled. Baker left the project by mutual agreement. The management overhaul is a necessary step to stabilize the team before the Audi era begins.

Binotto and the Project Leadership

Mattia Binotto manages the development activities at the Hinwil and Neuburg an der Donau facilities and the future technical center in England. His new role expands his previous responsibilities as Head of Audi F1 Project. Binotto worked as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer last summer. He previously led Ferrari as Team Principal after working there since the mid-1990s. He left Maranello in 2022. His 25 years of experience in Formula 1 will support the project. Audi CEO Gernot Dollner stated that Binotto will make a decisive contribution to the project. Binotto will oversee the close coordination of development activities to achieve synergy between the race car and the powertrain.

While the team completes its final races under the Alfa Romeo name this month, the management structure remains focused on the transition to the Audi Revolut F1 Team for the 2026 season. You already know the team is transitioning from the Alfa Romeo identity, so I will focus on the personnel shifts. The team will rebrand from Sauber to Audi Revolut F1 Team for its 2026 entry. The brand reveal included a logo with Audi’s four rings and the Revolut name. The color scheme and design for the two cars will be revealed on January 20 in Berlin. A public opening follows on January 21. The first collective F1 test occurs during the Barcelona shakedown from January 26 to January 30.

The Operational Split in Management

The operational structure splits the team into two distinct hubs. Fred Vasseur explains that Audi manages the engine in Neuburg. The team handles the chassis and track operations in Hinwil. Binotto oversees development activities at the Hinwil and Neuburg facilities and the future technical center in England. This arrangement aims to coordinate development between the race car and the powertrain. The team aims to function as a single unit rather than separate entities that fight each other. They have a three-year window to increase the budget and improve facilities before the 2026 regulations. Vasseur notes that the team has three years to increase the budget and improve the facilities.

The team operates out of two main locations. The Hinwil base covers 15,600 square meters and includes a wind tunnel. The Neuburg facility contains 3,000 square meters of space and 22 test benches. Approximately 300 staff members work on the power unit project in Germany. The team also plans to open a technical center in the UK. They are evaluating locations such as Bicester, Silverstone, and Milton Keynes. They want the UK facility operational by summer 2025. This third hub aims to provide access to the motorsport expertise in the UK.

Wheatley and the Team Principal Role

The team principal role belongs to Jonathan Wheatley. He started his position at Sauber Motorsport AG in April. He also serves as the Management Board Spokesperson. His focus involves managing race operations for the squad. He replaces Alessandro Alunni Bravi, the former team representative. Wheatley’s suspension period lasted until July. He worked with Red Bull for 18 years before this move. He plans to lead the squad in his own way as it becomes Audi in 2026.

The management of the squad involves several other leaders. Giampaolo Dall’Ara took the newly created role of Head of Race Engineering. He manages departments at the Hinwil factory and on the track. This role aims to optimize alignment on all car performance topics. Ignacio Rueda joined as the Sporting Director. He replaced Beat Zehnder. Rueda previously worked for Scuderia Ferrari, Jordan Grand Prix, Renault, and Lotus F1. He manages all sporting activities and the relationship with the FIA. Zehnder moved to the position of Director of Signature Programs and Operations in 2025. He has been with Sauber since the 1980s.

Personnel Shifts and the Exit of Former Leaders

The leadership changes follow the exit of Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann. Seidl served as the CEO of the Audi team. He joined Sauber in January 2023 to oversee the 2026 entry. Hoffmann oversaw the project as an executive board member. Binotto replaces them to provide a single point of contact for senior management. This change aims to increase the speed of decision-making. Binotto has 25 years of experience in Formula 1. He previously led Ferrari as Team Principal. Seidl worked as an engineer for the Sauber team between 2006 and 2009. He also won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2015 with the Porsche LMP1 squad.

The recruitment of new staff remains a priority for the organization. Binotto’s appointment helps Audi manage the project with clear management structures and defined responsibilities. However, the integration of new employees in Hinwil causes difficulties. The team faces challenges in recruiting high-quality backroom personnel. These difficulties mirror the struggles in the driver market. How will the team successfully integrate these diverse leadership styles before the 2026 season begins?

Power Unit Development in Neuburg

The power unit development stays in Neuburg, Bavaria. Stefan Dreyer continues as the Chief Technical Officer for power unit development. He also acts as the spokesperson for the Audi Formula Racing GmbH management board. The Neuburg facility contains 3,000 square meters of space and 22 test benches. Approximately 300 staff members work on the power unit project in Germany. The 2026 power units will use 1.6-liter turbo engines and 400 kW electric motors. These engines run on 100 percent sustainable fuels. The project is based at Audi Sport’s facility in Neuburg near Ingolstadt.

The 2026 regulations focus on increased electrification and sustainable fuels. The electric motor will be nearly as powerful as the combustion engine. The combustion engine will have an output of about 400 kW. This development follows the decisions made by Audi to join the sport in 2022. Audi intends to build its own engines in Germany. The company uses its Neuburg base to develop the hybrid power unit. This project aims to prove the technical capabilities of the Audi brand.

Drivers and Team Performance

The current driver lineup reflects the transition toward the Audi era. Nico Hulkenberg drives for the team in 2026. He signed a multi-year contract starting in 2025. He previously drove for Sauber in 2013. Gabriel Bortoleto also competes for the team. He finished his rookie season in 19th place. The team sits in 8th place in the constructors’ standings.

The performance of the team has seen various stages of development. The team has been part of the F1 grid since 1993. It competed as the Stake F1 Team for the past two years. Last year, Nico Hulkenberg scored a podium at the British Grand Prix. This was the first podium for the team since 2012. The team’s most successful period occurred between 2006 and 2010 under the BMW-Sauber name. During that time, the team finished third in the constructors’ championship in 2008.

Historical Context of the Sauber Operation

The Sauber team has a long history in Formula 1. Peter Sauber founded the Swiss-based team. It has entered 373 Grands Prix and achieved ten podiums. The team has not won a race in its history. During the BMW era, the team won the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix with Robert Kubica. After BMW left, the team used Ferrari engines. The partnership with Alfa Romeo began in 2019. That partnership concludes in Abu Dhabi later this month. The Alfa Romeo era included 192 races with no wins or podiums.

The team’s management changes reflect the move away from these past partnerships. The team is moving from the Alfa Romeo image to the Audi Revolut F1 Team identity. Audi’s entry coincides with the introduction of new engine regulations. This provides a fresh start for the squad. The management restructure aims to prepare the team for this new era.