Audi boss Mattia Binotto has warned the F1 paddock that German manufacturers are going into the sport to win and won’t leave it until then – and even if they have won, they won’t go anywhere.

The former Ferrari boss was appointed by Audi in a bid to steady the ship ahead of his arrival in the sport in 2026.

Mattia Binotto sets target date for Audi F1 success

Audi will take over Sauber in 2026, becoming both a grid team and engine supplier following an update to powertrain regulations, but their preparation has been rocky to say the least.

After appointing McLaren’s Andreas Seidl, the German was fired alongside senior team member Oliver Hoffmann and in their place came Binotto, marking his first return to F1 since leaving Ferrari in 2022.

But there have been a number of rumors that Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen, is getting cold feet and considering pulling out of the sport before a wheel has even slipped. Binotto assured that this was not the case and warned rival F1 teams that the famous manufacturer with the four rings is there to win.

“It’s not just about climbing a big mountain, it’s about climbing Everest. It will take several years,” Binotto told BBC Sport.

“Our goal is by the end of the decade to be able to compete for championships.

“We are in F1 until we win and then. It’s a long-term commitment. We joined F1 to be here and stay here.

“We intend to become a winning team, set the benchmark and stay that way. It’s not a matter of joining and leaving. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, it’s great that Audi is finally a part of it and they are just determined to stay. »

Binotto’s role at Audi could hardly be different from his previous job at Ferrari where the team was established decades ago and the Swiss chief said he had not fully appreciated the differences until whether he is in the company.

“When you are here and you start looking into the details, the more you look, the more you realize where you are and what the main differences are compared to what I knew before at Ferrari,” said the 54-year-old. years.

“Certainly, the gap and differences are many and the gap is great.

“It’s big because of its dimensions, the number of people, the mindset, the tools and the facilities. Whatever you look at, it’s really about comparing a small team to a top team.

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“We intend to become a winning team, set the benchmark and stay that way. It’s not a matter of joining and leaving. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, it’s great that Audi is finally a part of it and they are just determined to stay. »

As for doubts over VW’s commitment, Binotto dismissed the reports as “false” and said F1 fits perfectly into the Audi brand.

“We can clearly say that there is no risk,” Binotto said. “And the F1 programs really fit the Audi brand and vision.

“When Audi bought certain shares and had the program to become full owner in the future, certain internal plans were drawn up, certain strategic plans were discussed and established but have not yet been executed. Sauber is so remained in limbo for a while.

“Secondly, let’s certainly say that some of the attention and energies have been focused on 2026, to try to make sure that Audi is ready to go in 2026, and that has taken some energy away from the path normal development for 2024 and 2025.”

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