Mattia Binotto has clearly indicated that Audi will not appoint a new team principal despite the sudden departure of Jonathan Wheatley, amid speculation linking Christian Horner to the position.
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The German manufacturer was shaken between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix when Wheatley stepped down from his role as team principal with immediate effect, just two races into the post-Sauber era.
Former driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes that Audi would benefit from the arrival of a profile like Horner’s.
Horner in the running?
« They need someone like Christian, he stated. I think people underestimate what Christian has achieved, how long he has been there, and what he has accomplished. Whether you like him or not, he is capable of doing a great deal. »
However, Binotto cooled these speculations by ruling out any external appointment: « We are not looking for a new team principal. I will keep this role, reorganize myself and reorganize the team », he stated.
He insisted that Audi’s structure will evolve rather than relying on a single leader: « In the end, it’s not about an individual. It’s about the team. What matters most is the team. »
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Binotto will not be everywhere
Instead, Binotto indicated that he will delegate trackside responsibilities: « I need support on race weekends, because I won’t always be present myself », the Italian explained.
This could lead to a structure similar to what Sauber had in the past, with a senior representative in charge of trackside operations while Binotto focuses on the overall transformation project. On the track, Audi’s initial difficulties highlight the scale of the challenge.
« Unfortunately, this is not the first time this has happened. The start is clearly not our strong point », Binotto admitted after Suzuka, where both cars once again lost ground right from the start.
He warned that there is no quick fix: « We haven’t solved the problem yet simply because there is no obvious solution: it’s at the top of our priority list. »
Despite these setbacks, Binotto believes that the forced break in April could be beneficial: « In a way, it’s a good thing that two races were cancelled. It gives us, as a team, more time to reflect and, hopefully, we will arrive in Miami better prepared. »
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