Mattia Binotto gives honest timeline for when Audi could win in Formula 1

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Audi will become the new team on the Formula 1 grid as they are set to take over the operations of Sauber come the 2026 season.

Sauber have endured a torrid 2024 campaign so far, with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu failing to register a point from 16 races. The Swiss team’s package has proven to be considerably behind their rivals as they languish at the back of the field.

While 2025 may bring very little changes to their fortunes, F1’s 2026 regulations will shake things up dramatically for the team as Audi enter the sport.

The German manufacturer will bring with them their own power unit as a works team, and Audi have already begun preparations for their arrival to F1. Nico Hulkenberg has already been announced as an Audi driver, having signed a deal with Sauber that will see it carry over to when Audi join in 2026.

Along with the recruitment of Hulkenberg, the team have secured the services of Mattia Binotto, who returns to the sport after his departure from Ferrari at the end of 2022.

Mattia Binotto warns it may take Audi ‘many years’ to win in Formula 1

Speaking on the F1 website, Binotto opened up on the Audi project and warned that it may take time for the team to be competitive.

Audi are a motorsport powerhouse, having had great success in the likes of World Rally, DTM and Formula E. Being such a huge operation, Audi will be hoping to do the same in F1 when they join the grid in 2026.

But with the team’s complete lack of experience in the category, Binotto says it may take ‘many years’ before Audi reach the top step of the podium.

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

“We know how difficult it is to turn a normal team into a winning team and how long it will take,” he said.

“It’s a business transformation, it’s about people, process, methodologies, skills, mindset, facilities – it’s about everything.

“If you look in the past at how long it takes for whatever team to become a winning team, it’s about seasons – it’s not a single season. It may take many years. We know how big the challenge is. We are very ambitious.

“The team back at the factory is fascinated and have plenty of energy. All for one – we want to make it. We need to be aware of how difficult it is, how big is the step. The gap is very big to a winning team. But we have the resources, we have the support from Audi – and I think we have all we need to achieve it.”

Who will partner Nico Hulkenberg at Audi?

With F1’s ‘silly season’ already bringing many twists and turns in the driver market, Sauber, and indeed Audi, are yet to confirm their second driver alongside Hulkenberg.

Current drivers Bottas and Zhou are both out of contract at the end of 2024. Bottas is believed to be the favourite to take the second Sauber seat and retain his status in F1 for next year at least.

But Sauber are exploring their options. Binotto named Theo Pourchaire and Gabriel Bortoleto as potential targets at the Italian Grand Prix, with the team not willing to offer more than a one-year contract to Bottas.

Liam Lawson had been another name mentioned in the running for the vacant seat. However, Ted Kravitz anticipates Lawson to be announced at RB before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.