A long chat with Corriere della Sera. With his friend Giorgio Terruzzi and Andrea Sparisci: Mattia Binotto’s first interview offers us an insight into the thoughts of the new head of Audi in F1, after his long militancy at Ferrari where he had climbed all the roles until becoming the team principal of Horse.
“I missed racing, I missed the team concept. But I only agreed to come back because I’m starting from a completely blank sheet of paper. It’s the charm of the challenge.”
Binotto’s life begins again 54 years ago with an adventure that might seem impossible… “With Ferrari we are talking about different realities, the rankings also say so. The difference is immense, in everything from size to tools. But I find many similarities with the Ferrari of my beginnings, in 1995. A company where everything needed to be built or rebuilt. In those days, in addition to reorganizing the departments and the methodology, it was necessary to train people to win. Inculcate the mentality of we are not here to participate.”
Mattia Binotto, great boss of Audi F1 in the Sauber garage
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Mattia missed the competition: “Having the desire to start again, the only attractive challenge for me was that of Audi, the most ambitious. It wouldn’t have made sense to join a team that already works. Here, however, I can build, I relive part of my past and this is also why it is fascinating.”
The man from Reggio accepted a very complicated challenge and some believe he was called late… “We are at the beginning of the climb, Everest is ahead and now only the base can be seen. We are deciding which side to climb from, it is important to establish a route. If we compare ourselves with our opponents we have around 400 fewer people, we have to add them to be able to compete at the same level: they can’t be found in two days, and not necessarily in F1. Our choice is to invest in young people.”
Mick Schumacher, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team reserve driver with his girlfriend Laila Hasanovic
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Hulkenberg is the experienced driver, but the second is missing for next year. There is talk of Valtteri Bottas’ renewal, Gabriel Bortoleto’s call and now Mick Schumacher…
“We can afford the luxury of not being in a hurry, as all the other teams have decided on their lineups. There are two essential aspects: on the one hand the experience to set the growth path. On the other, a young, talented person who will accompany us on the journey to the top.”
Bottas, therefore, already seems out of the game, while Mick seems in the game… “We are certainly evaluating it. I met him and spoke to him, I have known him for some time having been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. I know his merits and advantages, he is one of the names we have in mind.”
Twenty-four years spent at Ferrari: Binotto explains how he sees the current red… “…Fred was able to continue the project in the name of continuity, he did not revolutionize a structured and functional organisation. He also made his own choices: if Ferrari wins I’m happy because I know the team and I know how much effort was spent to bring it to a certain level.”
It was inevitable that he was asked for his opinion on Newey: “It certainly changes the internal balance. Adrian brings added value, but it must be managed within the workforce. It can be a winner.”
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Interesting to discover that Mattia would not have taken Hamilton: “No. But he did very well to go to Ferrari. I wouldn’t have taken Lewis because Ferrari had opted for other drivers. And if the talent is Leclerc, it is he who in some way I believe should be accompanied to the goal.”
Binotto has no doubts about who will win the 2024 titles: “Verstappen the drivers’ title, McLaren the constructors’ title.” And when will it be Audi’s turn? “Other teams took years to get to the top. Todt joined Maranello in 1993 and the first constructors’ title was in 1999. Same thing for Mercedes. They serve for 5-7 years, we expect to be able to fight in 2030.”
#Binotto #evaluating #Mick #Audi #successful