Overview
- Mattia Binotto told interviews published July 31–August 1 that media links to Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri are a positive sign and that he is satisfied with his current drivers.
- Binotto confirmed that Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto will remain with Audi into 2027, and he stressed the team needs stability in its driver lineup.
- Audi has established itself as a credible midfield works team in 2026, scoring points in Australia, Britain, Belgium and Hungary and moving to eighth in the Constructors' standings.
- Bortoleto is reported to have a contract running to the end of 2027, and Binotto’s past role in signing Sainz to Ferrari is one reason the Spaniard is repeatedly linked to Audi.
- The team acknowledges its in-house power unit is its weak link and plans to use the FIA’s ADUO development process to deliver upgrades as part of a longer-term plan to challenge for wins by 2030.