Binotto: Preparations for 2026 are in full swing.

      Until relatively recently Sauber was an outsider, but it is gradually becoming one of the most promising Formula 1 teams, primarily because it is now Audi’s factory project.

      Although the successes are still fairly modest, at Silverstone Nico Hülkenberg stood on the podium for the first time in his career, and young Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto has already on several occasions reached the final segment of qualifying and scored points.

      “Our goal this season is to fight for points in every race,” confirmed Mattia Binotto, who heads the Audi project. “I would say we are already achieving that. It’s important because it gives credibility to our project, important in the process of our transformation into Audi’s factory team, important for our sponsors and for everyone who supports us.

      2025 is a transition year for us; we must be fully focused on 2026, but at the same time we have to pay attention to the current season. I think it’s good preparation.

      Nico Hülkenberg is a top‑class professional — he’s fast in qualifying, consistent in races, and his experience is useful for Gabriel Bortoleto, the season’s rookie… We are very happy that we signed a contract with this young Brazilian. It’s easy now to say that he did very well in F3 and F2, but we were the ones who brought him into Formula 1.

      We are helping him develop calmly, trying not to subject him to too much pressure. Gabriel is a real hard worker, and he proved his speed already in the junior categories; we also see it in the telemetry. He will become a great driver.

      As head of the Audi F1 project, my area of responsibility is comparable to what I once did at Ferrari, that is, I’m responsible for the whole team and its growth. But the difference is that we are starting from scratch — and that is a significant distinction from a team with as big a name as Ferrari.

      Preparations for 2026 are in full swing, but there is very little time left, and we don’t know what the balance of power will be next season, we don’t know who will best interpret the new technical regulations. And our goal is to start winning races by 2030…

      We do not expect to stand out already in 2026, but we will do everything in our power to prove the seriousness of our intentions. And at Audi we have full support. I dream of Audi achieving success so that we can compete on equal terms with the best teams in the championship.”