Mattia Binotto not ruling out Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher amid Audi F1 seat
09/05/2024 02:43 AM
Mattia Binotto and Audi
On July 24, Audi officially announced the arrival of Mattia Binotto in the dual role of operational and technical director for the F1 project. During the Monza weekend, the engineer from Reggio Emilia was seen at the Sauber garage and gave an interesting interview to Sky Deutschland, where he spoke about his arrival and the selection of the driver to join Nico Hulkenberg.
The decision
"I was out for 18 months, a very long period, longer than my gardening leave," Binotto explained, adding, "I was waiting for a big opportunity. Audi was the only team I hoped to join for a project like this. For me, it's the most fascinating challenge." In the past months, Mattia Binotto had been approached by Red Bull Powertrain and Aston Martin, but he chose to wait for a solid, long-term commitment where he could have a central role.
The 2025 drivers
The decision to choose Nico Hulkenberg was made well before Mattia Binotto's arrival, but the former Ferrari boss holds great respect for the experienced German driver: "We all know Nico, he is very fast and consistent. Very good in qualifying. I think he's really happy with our project and wants to stay with us for a long time."
As for the second driver, Binotto has not yet made a decision. The 2025 season is expected to be another challenging year for the team, so there's no rush to announce the second name. It's no secret that Valtteri Bottas is the favorite – and would be a re-signing – but several other drivers have been linked to Audi, including Bortoleto, former Ferrari junior Mick Schumacher, and even former Ferrari F1 driver Sebastian Vettel.
Mattia Binotto didn't shy away: "Vettel? I adore him, having worked with him in the past. Knowing him, you appreciate his greatness as a person even before as a driver. At the moment, I haven't decided yet; it will take a couple of weeks. I want to look around and make the right choice, not just for the short term. Mick Schumacher? He is on our list, as are other drivers. We're not in a hurry; we'll decide before the end of September." – the former Ferrari team principal concluded.
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