Binotto on Audi vs. Red Bull-Ford: 'Background' Will Ultimately Make the Difference
Mattia Binotto acknowledges Red Bull-Ford's current advantage from hiring Mercedes staff but believes Audi's deep-rooted knowledge will ultimately provide a long-term edge in the F1 2026 engine battle.
Audi F1 chief Mattia Binotto acknowledges that new rival Red Bull Powertrains-Ford holds an immediate advantage with "more specific skills" after poaching over 200 engineers from Mercedes. However, Binotto is confident that Audi's vast corporate "background" and engineering "knowledge" will "certainly make the difference" in the long-term battle for 2026 supremacy.
Why it matters:
The 2026 regulations represent one of F1's biggest overhauls, attracting two major new manufacturers. The early dynamic between Audi and Red Bull-Ford will set the tone for the next generation of the sport, determining whether fresh talent or institutional legacy proves to be the winning formula for challenging established powerhouses like Mercedes and Ferrari.
The details:
- Red Bull's Head Start: Binotto conceded that Red Bull-Ford's aggressive hiring, which Christian Horner says includes over 200 former Mercedes staff, gives them an immediate benefit with "more specific skills."
- Audi's Long Game: Despite this, Binotto emphasized that Audi's strategy is not about a 2026 surprise. He stated, "We don’t intend to be a surprise next year," with the team's title ambitions targeted for closer to 2030.
- Building Credibility: Binotto feels the project is "going in the right path," with recent long-term investments from the Qatar Investment Authority and a title sponsorship with Revolut silencing doubts about Audi's commitment.
- Team Integration: Driver Nico Hülkenberg highlighted the importance of integrating the new power unit personnel with the existing Sauber structure in Hinwil, noting significant progress in team communication and operations.
What's next:
The focus for both Audi and Red Bull-Ford now shifts to on-track development and reliability as the 2026 debut looms. While Red Bull may have an early lead in personnel, Audi is betting that its deep-rooted engineering culture and long-term investment strategy will eventually close the gap and create a genuine title contender by the end of the decade.