Without Ferrari-like resources at Sauber, Audi has to reset its Formula One goals, explains Mattia Binotto
Audi has officially announced that it will relax its ambitious three-year target for its Formula One entry. Originally, the team planned to catch up with the top of the premier class in just three years, but the current reality calls this plan into question.
Infrastructure: Binotto draws comparison to Ferrari
According to Binotto, Audi is currently lacking in many fundamental factors to be able to keep up with the top Formula 1 teams. In addition to having too few employees, it is above all the tools and resources that are holding Audi back compared to competitors such as Red Bull and Ferrari.
The 54-year-old suggests that the technical equipment at Audi-Sauber does not meet the standards he is familiar with from his time at Ferrari: “It’s the small details that are crucial,” he explains, adding that a long-term approach is necessary.
However, Binotto sees the challenge as an exciting task, and he estimates that the scope of the project is even greater than originally expected. While he was able to draw on solid structures at Ferrari, a new basis is being created at Audi. Binotto talks about developing a team with a clear culture and long-lasting spirit.
For Audi, the road to the top of Formula One remains a challenging process in which clear priorities must be set. According to Binotto, the task now is to build a foundation step by step that will enable long-term success. However, the road ahead will be longer and more intense than originally anticipated.