Mattia Binotto begs Sauber to embrace Michael Schumacher’s ‘unique’ trait ahead of Audi’s takeover

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Mattia Binotto witnessed Michael Schumacher at his best while working for Ferrari, and is now the man tasked with turning Sauber into Audi’s factory F1 team in 2026.

Formula 1’s grid will transform next term when Audi joins the pinnacle of motorsport, along with General Motors bringing its Cadillac brand to the paddock. Audi will take over Sauber in five months’ time after buying the Swiss squad, who have been a part of the grid since 1993.

Audi initially bought a stake in Sauber back in January 2023, before upping its ownership to 100% in March 2024. The German brand has also already made a raft of changes. But Audi also sold a 30% stake in the F1 squad to the Qatar Investment Authority in November 2024.

Among the changes that Audi has made at Sauber include naming Binotto as the lead of the team in charge of chassis and engine design and manufacturing. Audi even signed Jonathan Wheatley as Sauber’s F1 team principal, plus drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.

Audi F1 lead Mattia Binotto urges Sauber to embrace Michael Schumacher’s winning mentality

Ferrari are the only other Formula 1 team on Binotto’s CV, having worked in Maranello from 1995 to 2022. He even rose up the Scuderia’s engine and technical departments to serve as their team principal from 2019 to 2022. Audi appointed Binotto to lead Sauber in July 2024.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Sauber from team principal to 2026 Audi future

The Swiss-born Italian’s time in Maranello saw Binotto contribute to all five of the F1 drivers’ championship titles that Schumacher lifted between 2000 and 2004. Binotto was in Ferrari’s engine division during the German’s dominant run and he worked closely with Schumacher.

Now, Binotto wants Sauber to embrace the ‘unique’ mentality that Schumacher had to win five of his record-setting seven drivers’ titles. Schumacher had a win-at-all-costs attitude at Ferrari, which also led to 72 of his 91 career Grand Prix wins and 58 of his 68 pole positions.

Binotto told Bild: “Michael was extraordinary. He’s the best driver I’ve ever worked with. An absolutely exceptional driver, no question, but he was at his best outside the car. He led the way with his mentality.

“He was a true leader. His way of working with the team in the garage, setting ambitious goals and never giving up until he achieved them, was unique. It was in his DNA. This is precisely the mentality we need to succeed.”

Mattia Binotto will hope to work his own magic on Audi’s 2026 F1 rules engine

Binotto and Audi will need Sauber to fully embrace Schumacher’s winning mentality and set targets that they never give up on before they are achieved for the German crew to make its debut in Formula 1 a success. Sauber are still very much a midfield team in the 2025 season.

READ MORE: Who is Sauber and Audi F1 chief Mattia Binotto? Everything to know

Also, Binotto admits that Audi will not have the best engine on the grid next year, with Audi arriving in the paddock as a fully-fledged factory squad with a works power unit. Cadillac, in contrast, will buy the supply of Ferrari engines when they arrive that Sauber currently field.

Sauber have not had a works power unit since the Swiss squad were BMW’s factory F1 team between 2006 and 2009. Every season since Sauber returned to being an independent team in 2010, they have bought Ferrari engines – including while running as BMW Sauber in 2010.