Mattia Binotto has openly criticized the Maranello team without mincing words: “Audi like Ferrari? They haven’t won anything since…”, sharing his thoughts as the current F1 project lead for the four-ring brand.
The former Ferrari Team Principal launched strong words against his old team: “Audi like Ferrari? They haven’t won anything since…”.
After leaving Ferrari at the start of 2023, when Fréd Vasseur was announced as the new Team Principal, Mattia Binotto has often taken the opportunity to make pointed comments about his former team. The Italian-Swiss engineer spent more than two decades in red, contributing to the successes during Michael Schumacher’s era, primarily in an engine role. In 2019, he became Team Principal, a position he held until the end of 2022. During those four years, Ferrari secured only seven wins, and the power unit controversy along with the FIA agreement severely constrained the team for two seasons. Now, as Audi F1’s project head, Mattia Binotto has delivered very sharp words toward the Scuderia.
Binotto: “There were no processes at Ferrari”
“My role here is not necessarily harder, but it’s different, and above all the culture—which is not Latin—is changing. At Ferrari, there were no processes; you just tried things. There was no need for a structured plan to reach the goal, whereas at Audi, with a more Germanic, more Swiss culture, plans come first. Without a plan, you cannot act.”
When asked whether he aimed to turn the four-ring brand into a title-winning team like Ferrari, Mattia Binotto answered candidly and cynically: “Ferrari like Audi? Why would I do that? They haven’t won anything since 2008. I want Audi to win.” These were the harsh words of the former Ferrari engineer and Team Principal to L’Equipe.
It’s striking that a professional of his caliber would make such statements, especially given that he contributed to both Ferrari’s triumphs and setbacks over the years. Reflecting on his time at Maranello, the experience allowed him to notice particularities in a new structure like Audi. “Before leaving the Scuderia, I observed certain things. This allowed me to make comparisons, but you cannot change everything in a day. The plan envisions three years for the construction phase and two to consolidate results and compete for the championship. So we have at least fifty-seven projects with clearly defined mandatory phases.”
Mattia Binotto’s comments highlight a deep-seated cultural rift between his past at Ferrari and his future with Audi. By pointing to Ferrari’s long championship drought and what he describes as a lack of structured planning, the Italian manager is signaling a complete break from the “Latin” management style as he attempts to build a German powerhouse capable of challenging the established order by the end of the decade.
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