Mattia Binotto, head of the Audi F1 team, has recently addressed the speculation linking Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri to his team. According to Binotto, he is completely satisfied with his current lineup of drivers, consisting of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
During 2024, Sainz held significant talks with Audi as he sought a new seat after Lewis Hamilton was signed by Ferrari. The Spanish driver eventually joined Williams in 2025, where he achieved two podiums in his first season. However, the performance of Williams has deteriorated in 2026, increasing rumors of a possible migration of Sainz to Audi.
Recently, Piastri from McLaren has also emerged as a potential target for Audi, especially if he opts to leave the Woking team or is replaced by Max Verstappen, a four-time champion.
Despite these speculations, Binotto has reaffirmed his confidence in the current pair of drivers. “I don’t read much news, so you’ve informed me,” he said to _RacingNews365_ when asked about the connections to Sainz and Piastri. Binotto emphasized that both Hulkenberg and Bortoleto offer a combination of experience and speed, which he sees as key to the team’s success.
Finally, Binotto underscored that rumors about other drivers linked to Audi are a positive sign, as they reflect the growing credibility of the team’s project. “The external perception is that one day we can be competitive, and that is no longer a rumor, it’s a fact,” he concluded.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
