New Audi boss Mattia Binotto could make move to sign ‘incredible’ driver he loves for 2025

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Audi won’t be officially on a Formula 1 grid for another 18 months, but they’re already making big moves behind the scenes to prepare for their eventual entry.

Andreas Seidl was brought in to lead their Formula 1 project but he’s already been replaced by Audi.

Although the form of the current Sauber team can’t be laid at Seidl’s feet, they’re so far off the pace that action needed to be taken.

Seidl and the chairman of the board of directors Oliver Hoffmann have both been let go, with concerns over the direction of the team with both men in charge.

Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has been appointed in his place and will start work on August 1.

Binotto has a lot of work ahead of him and seeing as Audi have already completed a 100% takeover of the Sauber team, he’ll be carefully assessing whether they’re heading in the right direction.

Another decision that Binotto has to make is who is going to drive for the team in 2025.

A report from Autosport suggests that Binotto may already be thinking about reaching out to one driver on the grid.

Nico Hulkenberg has already been signed up for 2025 and they’ll be delighted to have brought in a driver who is in such good form with Haas this season.

However, Audi’s pursuit of a second driver has stumbled as their current on-track form is so poor.

Binotto may reach out to Carlos Sainz once again to see if he can convince the ‘incredible’ driver – as per Flavio Briatore in an interview with La Politica Nel Pallone – that he should follow in his father’s footsteps by driving for Audi.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height

New Audi boss Mattia Binotto could reach out to Carlos Sainz to fill 2025 race seat

Binotto has to make some difficult personnel decisions at Audi very quickly.

With Seidl and Hoffmann now gone, technical director James Key is also under pressure within the Audi setup.

While these are vital positions that need to be filled with work on their first 2026 car set to start very soon, the most pressing issue is Sauber’s 2025 driver line-up.

Nico Hulkenberg was signed up so quickly that it felt like the project was off to a strong start given his willingness to join a team who looked sluggish at the start of 2024.

Unfortunately, Sauber have been left behind by the rest of the grid and look nowhere near scoring their first point of the campaign.

The report from Autosport suggests that it can’t be ruled out seeing Binotto try and renew Audi’s interest in Sainz.

Binotto was the team principal who recruited Sainz to Ferrari in 2021 and was a big fan of the Spaniard during their time working together.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber from team principal to Audi future

Which other teams could sign Carlos Sainz for the 2025 F1 season?

Audi have been big admirers of Sainz for a long time but have struggled to convince him up to this point that he should commit to what’s looking like a longer and longer-term project.

Alpine have made an improved offer for Sainz in recent weeks as they seek a teammate for Pierre Gasly.

However, there are still two top teams on the grid with question marks over their driver line-ups.

Mercedes principal Toto Wolff has said Sainz is definitely a candidate for their second car which would be an appealing option for the Spaniard considering their recent improvements.

The most interesting scenario is currently at Red Bull with Sergio Perez fighting for his future.

Sainz has held talks with Red Bull but is unlikely to be available to make a mid-season switch if Perez is dropped during the summer break.

Red Bull have a plethora of drivers already available to choose from but none are of the same level as Sainz if they want a strong teammate for Max Verstappen.