Silly season continues in Formula 1 as Audi has announced the return of Mattia Binotto to the sport. This August, the Italian will take up the role of chief operating and chief technical officer of the Hinwil-based team.

This news comes also with the departure of Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann. The former joined Sauber in January last year as CEO, while the latter was chairman of the board of directors for all Sauber companies.

Binotto joined the Scuderia in 1995 as an engineer in the engine department. His time in the limelight came in 2019 when he was promoted from chief technical officer to team principal, ending with his resignation in 2022.

“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project,“ said Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. “With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution for Audi.“

With Mattia Binotto and Nico Hulkenberg aboard, do things look good for Audi’s F1 project?