Sauber’s struggling Formula 1 team only managed to score points once in 2023, at the second-to-last race of the season. It’s a performance they’d rather forget.
But there’s hope on the horizon. Mattia Binotto, who joined the team mid-2023 after years leading Ferrari, thinks he knows what needs to change: the team’s entire mindset.
“We need to think bigger,” says Binotto, who now serves as both chief operating officer and technical officer at the Swiss-based team.
It’s quite a shift for him. At Ferrari, winning wasn’t just a goal – it was an obsession. But when he arrived at Sauber’s headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland, he found a completely different atmosphere.
The team had been in survival mode for years, just trying to keep their heads above water in F1’s ultra-competitive environment.
That’s all about to change. Audi is set to take over the team in the coming years, bringing fresh investment and ambitious goals.
“It’s a long journey,” Binotto admits. “Changing behavior and culture is probably the toughest challenge we face. But we’ve already started.”
The team’s been busy making moves. They’ve signed promising young driver Gabriel Bortoleto, shaken up their driver lineup for next year, and secured a major investment deal with Qatar.
“These changes show we’re moving in the right direction,” says Binotto. “We’re starting to think big – exactly the mindset we need.”
While 2024 might still be challenging, the pieces are falling into place for Sauber’s transformation from survival mode to potential contender. With Audi’s backing and Binotto’s experience, the Swiss team might just surprise everyone in the years to come.
