Audi F1 set the record straight on Mattia Binotto’s reported ‘private messages’

奥迪F1已经断然否认MattiaBinotto turned down an offer, saying he has never even visited their Neuburg HQ.

A report emerged from the British magazine F1 Business Magazine that the former Ferrari team principal visited the Competence Center Motorsport in Neuburg, Germany to discuss a potential role with the 2026 entry – but ultimately turned it down with ‘private messages’ leaked calling Audi F1 a ‘clown’ operation.

But PlanetF1.com can reveal the story is false and that Binotto never even visited the Audi F1 HQ.

Speaking to PlanetF1.com, an Audi F1 spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Mattia Binotto never visited the sports Competence Centre in Neuburg where our project is located.”

Binotto is currently serving gardening leave having resigned as Ferrari team principal following the conclusion of the 2022 season. Given his experience, he will have a long list of suitors and has previously been linked with moves to Formula 1, Red Bull Powertrains and Audi.

Audi did not state whether Binotto was being considered for a position at the project which is headed up by CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH Adam Baker.

The German manufacturer has been on a recruitment drive ahead of their arrival onto the grid in 2026 andBaker revealed earlier this yearthat 50 tech experts including some from F1 rivals had already been hired.

“Regarding recruitment, what we need to recognise is the Formula 1 project for Audi Sport here in Neuburg, it’s an important transformation project,” he told PlanetF1.com.

“This means we benefited from taking around 200 highly qualified staff over from within Audi Sport into Formula 1. So this is obviously a huge boost for our ramp-up phase.

“Here in the region, we also have access to literally 1,000s of tech experts who are involved in the automotive industry here working for Audi or for suppliers.

“But to ensure we will be competitive in 2026, we want to accelerate our learning phase as much as possible and part of that strategy is an aggressive recruitment programme. So far, we’ve contracted around 50 technical experts to join us here, including from some of our competitors.”