14 February 2023 , 17:10
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Mattia Binotto has been tipped to join the new Audi project by one of Italy's most prominent Formula 1 journalists.
The Italian ended a long career with Ferrari at the end of last season. He had worked his way up to being team principal for four years, before stepping down after a 2022 campaign in which his team flattered to deceive.
An engineer by trade, Binotto oversaw the creation of an extremely competitive car which was certainly capable of a title tilt. But Ferrari let themselves down operationally, making a series of tactical and strategic blunders which allowed Red Bull to run away with the championship.
Feeling he no longer had the full confidence of the Ferrari leadership, Binotto stepped down shortly after the conclusion of the season. Frederic Vasseur is the man leading the Scuderia now, while the outgoing chief will now be plotting his next move.
Binotto must complete a significant period of gardening leave before taking on a new project in F1. The Italian press have reported that the team paid "extra compensation" to extend the standard amount of time that he would have to stay out of the sport, which could be up to 12 months.
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As for what may come after, both Red Bull and Mercedes have publicly distanced themselves from making a move for the 53-year-old. But it may well end up being a new project which piques the interest of the Italian.
Fred Vasseur left Sauber to replace Binotto at Ferrari (PA)Speaking on the Pit Talk podcast, Italian reporter Leo Turrini said: "I'm sure that Binotto will be able to stay in Formula 1 after the gardening period. I am absolutely certain that he has had a proposal from Audi to lead the team that will be on the grid in the near future."
Audi will officially enter the sport in 2026, having agreed a partnership with Sauber. The German carmaker is already working flat out behind the scenes to create their own power unit, with former McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl as Sauber chief executive and Alessandro Alunni Bravi acting as 'team representative'.
Vasseur, now leading Ferrari, has yet to be replaced. Binotto might be the man to fill that vacancy, and Sauber might even be able to convince the Scuderia to waive some of the Italian's gardening leave after making things easy for the Frenchman to move to Maranello.