Mattia Binotto

Ex-F1 principal brands Audi 'CLOWNS' as he rejects return to paddock

Joe Ellis Saturday 10 June 2023 15:57

Ex-F1 principal brands Audi 'CLOWNS' as he rejects return to paddock

Mattia Binotto reportedly rejected the chance to lead Audi's F1 adventure before the German giants signed Andreas Seidl from McLaren.

According to Business F1 Magazine, the former Ferrari team principal was the number one target for Audi to spearhead their F1 entry, which starts in 2026.

The Italian even visited the company's headquarters to meet some influential people in the project and see the facilities for himself.

But after the visit, Binotto firmly rejected any offer Audi sent to him despite resigning from his role at Ferrari in 2022.

Audi's prospective livery for their 2026 entry has already been teased

A bunch of 'clowns'

Business F1 Magazine was told by one source: "He [Binotto] has privately told friends that some of the people at Neuburg an der Donau are clowns."

Binotto went to Germany with an open mind and was prepared to hear what Audi had to say and show off but the visit to the factory confirmed to him that he did not want to take on the role.

The Italian has not worked in the F1 paddock this season after being replaced as team principal at Ferrari by Fred Vasseur.

Seidl's move to Audi, who he has worked with away from F1 previously, saw McLaren bring Andrea Stella into the team as their new team principal for 2023.

Latest News

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: The music artists set to star at STUNNING event

55 minutes ago

Latest F1 News

Mercedes star SHOCKED by FIA reaction after damning drivers' statement

2 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Verstappen reveals F1 RETIREMENT clue ahead of Las Vegas GP

3 hours ago

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton drops Mercedes BOMBSHELL ahead of Las Vegas GP

3 hours ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 star reveals DEPORTATION threat at Las Vegas Grand Prix

Today 19:18

Latest F1 News

FIA introduce MANDATORY rule change at Las Vegas Grand Prix

Today 18:33

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY