- Audi's stance on the second driver: Anticipating a Prompt Response
Audi needs to pick their second driver for their Formula 1 team ASAP, but first, they need to decide whether to go with a young gun or an experienced pilot, according to the brand's new project leader, Mattia Binotto. This announcement was made at the Italian Grand Prix last Sunday.
Audi plans to compete in Formula 1 with their own team beginning in 2026, following their acquisition of the Swiss Sauber racing team. It's already been confirmed that Nico Hülkenberg, a 37-year-old German driver, will be racing one of the two Sauber cars next year and then transfer to Audi.
The identity of the second driver remains undecided. Several names are being tossed around, including those of current drivers Valtteri Bottas (35) from Finland and Guanyu Zhou (25) from China, along with promising young drivers from Sauber or Mick Schumacher (25). Schumacher, son of the legendary Michael Schumacher, has been hoping to return to Formula 1 since leaving Haas after the 2021 and 2022 seasons and coming up empty-handed in the driver assignments.
Binotto stated that they would be talking to potential candidates, but no decisions have been made yet. "But hopefully soon," he added. The list is reportedly quite lengthy.
The former Ferrari team principal, Binotto, along with Audi's CEO Gernot Döllner, emphasized during a media roundtable that the goal is to become a winning team. However, there's still a lot of work to be done, they said, and it's a long-term project.
Recent personnel changes, including Binotto taking over and the announcement of Jonathan Wheatley from Red Bull as team principal for 2026, have been made, and Döllner ensured that Audi's dedication to Formula 1 "has never been in question." The main focus had shifted last year to how exactly the commitment would be carried out and continued.
Currently, Sauber is struggling at the bottom of the constructors' championship. The two drivers have yet to score a single point this season.
Audi is open to considering both young and experienced drivers for the second seat in their Formula 1 team. The decision on 'Other' potential candidates is yet to be made, with names like Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu Zhou, and Mick Schumacher being mentioned.
Binotto mentioned that they will be exploring possibilities with 'Other' drivers, but no final decisions have been made so far, hinting at an upcoming announcement.
