Binotto Says 2026 F1 Will Reward Teams That Develop Fastest

Overview

• Speaking at Audi’s Munich identity launch as it formally takes over Sauber, Mattia Binotto outlined how success will hinge on rapid in‑season progress.
• He said simulations and factory tools tuned to current rules require a complete overhaul because different performance variables will drive lap time in 2026.
• Binotto cautioned that some teams could start next season with poorly tuned models, risking early misreads of car performance.
• The 2026 regulations shift toward a near 50-50 split between electrical energy and the internal combustion engine and bring smaller cars with active aero.
• He sees no clear favourite for 2026 and stressed that early speed may not translate into sustained advantage over the season.