Red Bull used as shining example for Audi: 'It's not an obstacle'

Mattia Binotto has held up Red Bull as a shining example that distance will not be an issue when it comes to the development of the chassis and the power unit on Audi's arrival in F1 next season.

The German manufacturing giant will take to the F1 stage for the first time in its history in 2026, and will operate out of Sauber's old headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland, whilst developing its own engine at a newly created factory in Neuberg, Germany.

Such a scenario presents its own set of obstacles, hurdles and challenges, but Binotto, the head of Audi's F1 project, is adamant that the distance factor will not be one of them.

"I don't think the distance between the two companies is an issue. If you look around, all the teams, except Ferrari, have different locations for the power unit and the chassis," Binotto said in an exclusive interview with RacingNews365.

According to Binotto, Red Bull has already demonstrated a team can win and be champions despite the miles between its bases.

"Red Bull won titles in recent years with headquarters in Japan [PU facility in Sakura] and the United Kingdom [chassis facility in Milton Keynes]," said Binotto

"So the distance, if it's affordable for them and they have been successful, then the three-hour drive between Hinwil and Neuburg will not be an obstacle."

Asked whether he is happy with the situation up to this point, Binotto replied: "I'm happy with the way the team is developing."

Audi feels the need for speed

There have been natural difficulties to overcome since Audi confirmed its intention to take over Sauber and add its considerable weight to the burgeoning motorsport series.

Binotto has stated that the biggest hurdle that has had to be overcome, and remains an ongoing issue, is "the speed of decisions".

He added: "Sauber was a great private team in the past, a private team with different objectives, and, let me say, different resources.

"When it comes to what we have to become, a successful team, it is the speed of development which is important. It's all about speed, and here is where we are trying to push the most, to change our speed.

"I have to say, I'm very pleased, because I can see what has been obtained in a few months, which is something not visible to the millions of fans, but visible only to us back at the factory.

"These guys, these people, they are good, they are capable. Once they know the objective, once everything has been energised, they are achieving incredible results.

"But as I said, what has been the most challenging has been first the speed. Yes, then it's technologies, then its capacity, then it is tools. You can make a long list, but for me, speed is the first."