Former Ferrari team boss becomes head of Audi F1 project as the German marque completes another restructuring

Former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto has become the Head of Audi F1 Project as the German manufacturer has completed another restructuring ahead of its debut season in Formula One next year.

Since announcing their intention to take over the Sauber outfit to join Formula One with a works team, Audi has made several changes to its structure.

The Ingolstadt-based manufacturer revealed last August that former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto would join the Hinwil-based squad that is still competing under the Audi name this year.

The Swiss engineer took on the role of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer, with Audi having confirmed that Binotto would be the "overall technical interface between the development teams in Hinwil and Audi Formula Racing GmbH at the Audi site in Neuburg an der Donau, which is responsible for development of the power unit."

At the same time, Audi also appointed Red Bull's former Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley, who joined the team as their new team principal. Having spent his gardening leave after the announcement, Wheatley commenced his role this April.

Audi has now announced further changes to its management. The restructuring saw Binotto expand his role, becoming responsible for development activities at the Hinwil and Neuburg an der Donau facilities, as well as at the future technical center in England.

Audi's statement read: "As a result, Audi is bringing its operational units within the Formula 1 project under unified management and is pushing ahead with even greater integration.

"With just under ten months to go before the debut in the pinnacle of motorsport, the close coordination of development activities is aimed at achieving seamless coordination between race car and powertrain. Under the overall leadership of Mattia Binotto, existing structures will be optimized and development speed further increased through higher efficiency."

Furthermore, Christian Foyer joined the management board of Audi Formula Racing GmbH (AFR), which is responsible for the F1 hybrid powertrain. He will focus on operational processes in the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Born in Aachen in 1977, the graduate engineer specializing in combustion engines has been working in operations and project management for various F1 teams and manufacturers for around 18 years. Foyer will take over operational responsibility for the areas previously managed by CEO Adam Baker, who is leaving the project by mutual agreement.

“We would like to thank Adam Baker for his commitment over the past years. He played a decisive role in shaping the overall strategic concept for the entry of Audi into Formula 1 and got the development of the power unit in Neuburg off the ground,” says Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG.

“With Christian Foyer, we are now bringing a proven expert in process structures in F1 powertrain development into the project. His experience will help ensure the synergistic cooperation and necessary speed on the journey we have embarked upon regarding the debut.”

To streamline reporting lines, the previous CEO role will be eliminated as part of the reorganization. Stefan Dreyer will continue to head power unit development in Neuburg as CTO and will take on the new role of spokesperson for the AFR management board.