Alunni Bravi describes the changes at Sauber…

For several days now, there have been rumours that things are not going well with the upcoming transition from Sauber to Audi, and this week a major reshuffle in the project management was announced. Team representative Alessandro Aluni Bravi spoke about the changes that have taken place…

Q: Alessandro, your team was in the news when it was announced that Mattia Binotto would replace Oliver Hoffmann and Andreas Seidl. What are the reasons for these changes?
Alessandro Aluni Bravi: As part of Audi AG’s complete acquisition of all shares in the Sauber Group, the management structure has been reorganized to ensure an efficient decision-making process. To achieve this goal, a new management team has been formed, including Mattia Binotto, who has been appointed Technical and Operations Director, reporting directly to Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi AG. I believe this is an important demonstration of Audi’s commitment to the Formula 1 project.

Mattia has a strong track record and extensive experience spanning more than 25 years in Formula 1. He has led key projects, first as Head of Engines at Ferrari, then as Head of Technical Department before being appointed Team Principal in 2019.

This important decision should bring our team in line with the speed of Formula 1 in terms of decision-making, it is an important and good step.

Q: What was it like working with Andreas and Oliver?
Alessandro Aluni Bravi: First of all I would like to thank Andreas and Oliver for their contribution, for helping to start the project to come to Formula 1. At some point there was a need for change. We know that there is still a lot of work to do, it is very important to appoint people who will help to create a clear management structure.

Our goal is to operate as a Formula 1 works team. And with Mattia’s appointment we will be able to achieve this. Now you have to think about the next steps.

Q: Do you expect Mattia to behave differently?
Alessandro Aluni Bravi: Everyone has their own approach. Of course, it is not just about CV, biography and character. Thanks to our collaboration with Ferrari, I have known Mattia for many years. He is very competent and has a lot of experience, especially in the technical field.

He will lead Sauber Motorsport and take full responsibility for the sporting success of the Audi works team. I believe he has all the necessary qualities to achieve this goal and to form the necessary structure by 2026.

Q: Mattia will be technical and operational director, you are the representative of the team. Will the team have a leader, or will Mattia also take on this role?
Alessandro Aluni Bravi: Mattia is the leader of the team, he will make the right decision. He will start on August 1st. He will have time to understand if the current management team and the current organizational structure are what is needed in modern Formula 1.

Mattia has the full support of all Audi employees to integrate quickly and gain a full understanding of what the current Sauber team looks like and what can be useful for the next steps.

Q: In the past we have often seen car manufacturers come to Formula 1 and become too active in the management of the team. Will Mattia coming in place of Oliver and Andres prevent this scenario? Will Mattia have more power than Andreas to make the changes he deems necessary?
Alessandro Aluni Bravi: I think we have already said that after the complete takeover of the Sauber Group, there has been a reorganization of the management structure. Clear goals have been set: defining responsibility and increasing the efficiency of decision-making. And I think that the fact that Mattia will become a direct manager, reporting directly to Gernot Döllner, is an important sign of a new process that I think will help us accelerate this transformation process even further. So I would say that this is not a new dynamic, but it is the right dynamic that we need to achieve all our tasks.