Audi newcomer reveals dramatic u-turn behind 'no-brainer' decision

Allan McNish has explained his thinking behind making a career U-turn in taking on a team management role, which he vowed he would never do after ending his racing career.

McNish enjoyed a stellar time behind the wheel, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans on three occasions, being crowned American Le Mans Series champion three times, and World Endurance Champion in 2013.

At seemingly still on a high point in his career, it was on the latter note that McNish decided to retire from racing, vowing never to look on from the pit wall in a managerial aspect.

Four years later, however, McNish became team principal of Audi's Formula E team, leading it to the championship in its debut year, continuing until its exit from the series in 2021

In maintaining his longstanding links with Audi since then, and being part of the manufacturer's F1 project, when Mattia Binotto asked him to step into the newly created role of racing director last month, the 56-year-old Scot took no time to think about it.  

"When I retired from racing in 2013, I said I would never be involved in team management or anything else, because you'd have to deal with drivers like me, and I knew how difficult I was," said McNish, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365.

"The reality is, things change. Life changes. So the rule of that is, never say never'.

"From that perspective, I've known this project from day one. I've been involved in it from literally the beginning in different roles.

"So from that side, being in Melbourne and seeing the car race for the first time, it was definitely a special moment."

Describing his decision as "a no-brainer", he added: "When I got a telephone call [from Binotto], and I then went to have a discussion, it was, 'Yes, 100 per cent' because I've lived it from day one. Why wouldn't I?"

Binotto was initially appointed as head of Audi's F1 project, but was left in limbo earlier this year when Jonathan Wheatley resigned as team principal after just 12 months in the role.

Needing someone to share the workload and take some of the pressure off of him, Binotto turned to McNish, who oversees race operations on grand prix weekends, whilst also continuing in his role in charge of the driver development programme.

Explaining the working demographic between himself and Binotto, and how he will now move forward in his new position, McNish, who was on the pit wall for the first time in Miami over the weekend, said: "He's there as support, and fantastic support, as opposed to being directly involved in the role that I do.

"It [Miami] was definitely a learning race for me. There's no question about it, understanding exactly how all the different parts fit together.

"Now I've got a bit of a clearer view, we can sit and try and progress forward."