Audi hiring Mattia Binotto ruins ‘exceptional’ driver’s chances for 2025 Sauber F1 seat

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Audi appointing Mattia Binotto as the chief operating and chief technical officer of its 2026 factory F1 team project has ruined one driver’s chances for racing for Sauber.

The German automotive giant will make a long-awaited debut in Formula 1 when the series adopts new regulations in 2026. Audi will also finally join the grid with a works entry and as a power unit manufacturer after buying 100% control of Sauber to join the travelling circus.

Yet while 2026 is still the best part of 17 months away, Audi is already getting Sauber up to scratch for its full takeover. Nico Hulkenberg signed a multi-year contract with Audi in April to swap Haas for Sauber in 2025. Binotto has also now replaced Andreas Seidl at the helm.

Audi hiring Mattia Binotto ruins Liam Lawson’s chances of joining Sauber

Another change will follow by July 2025 at the latest, too, after Audi hired Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley to become Sauber’s new team principal. By the time the Briton arrives in Hinwil, the team might even have an entirely new driver-up to forge Audi’s future.

Current Sauber drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are both out of contract beyond the 2024 Formula 1 season. Audi even made great efforts to sign Carlos Sainz before the Ferrari exile agreed to join Williams. But the Spaniard was not the only racer Seidl was talking with.

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

That is according to The Race, which reports that Seidl had spoken with Liam Lawson about the Red Bull reserve driver joining Audi/Sauber in 2025. The German was also quite keen on signing the New Zealander. But Binotto replacing Seidl ruined Lawson’s chances for the seat.

Binotto wants Audi to sign another experienced driver, rather than giving a young talent like Lawson a seat at Sauber. The 22-year-old could have been an option as Lawson will be clear to leave Red Bull if they cannot provide a seat on the Formula 1 grid for 2025 by September.

Liam Lawson is at Red Bull’s mercy waiting for Sergio Perez or Daniel Ricciardo to leave

But Audi sacking Seidl and appointing Binotto likely now leaves Lawson at Red Bull’s mercy for 2025. The four seats still unconfirmed for next year’s grid are at Mercedes, Alpine, Visa Cash App RB and Sauber. Yet Binotto is not minded to take a punt on the Kiwi for next year.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Sauber and Audi F1 chief Mattia Binotto

A seat at Mercedes is also unlikely with Toto Wolff expected to promote the Silver Arrows’ academy driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, if they cannot prise Max Verstappen from Red Bull. While Alpine are due to trust their own academy product, Jack Doohan, for a drive in 2025.

Lawson, who Helmut Marko considers an ‘exceptional talent’, thus needs Red Bull to either cancel Sergio Perez’s recent contract extension – which they have refused to do during the summer break – or opt against giving Daniel Ricciardo a new deal to stay at RB next season.