CARS CARS Audi consolidates duties for the Formula 1 project

Audi is further integrating the benefits and operational procedures of a factory team into its Formula 1 endeavor. Mattia Binotto will oversee development efforts in the Hinwil and Neuburg an der Donau facilities, as well as at the upcoming technical center in England, in her capacity as Head of Audi F1 Project.

As a consequence, Audi is moving forward with even more integration and unifying the administration of its operational divisions inside the Formula 1 project. The goal of closely coordinating development operations is to achieve flawless coordination between the racing vehicle and powertrain, since the debut in the highest level of motorsport is less than ten months away. Existing structures will be improved under Mattia Binotto’s general direction, and greater efficiency will accelerate development even further.

On May 1, 2025, Christian Foyer became a member of the management board of Audi Formula Racing GmbH (AFR), which is in charge of the F1 hybrid drivetrain. In the recently established role of Chief Operating Officer (COO), he will concentrate on operational procedures. The combustion engine-focused graduate engineer, who was born in 1977 in Aachen, Germany, has spent the last 18 years managing operations and projects for several Formula One teams and manufacturers. CEO Adam Baker is departing the project by mutual consent, and Foyer will assume operational responsibility for the sectors he previously oversaw.

“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.”

As part of the restructure, the former CEO position will be removed in order to simplify reporting lines. Stefan Dreyer will assume the new position of spokesman for the AFR management board while continuing to lead power unit development in Neuburg as CTO.

Jonathan Wheatley has been Sauber Motorsport AG’s Team Principal and Management Board Spokesperson since the beginning of April. Wheatley is working closely with Mattia Binotto to support and influence the racing team’s transition. His main goals are to oversee the future Audi F1 Team’s racing operations and represent Audi in Formula 1’s strategic forums as a team principal.