Electric Cars

Binotto Confident in Current Driver Lineup, Undeterred by Speculation

Audi's Stance on Driver Market Rumors

Mattia Binotto, the head of Audi's Formula 1 operations, has publicly downplayed ongoing speculation linking prominent drivers Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri to the team. Despite the rumors circulating within the Formula 1 paddock, Binotto expressed full satisfaction with the current roster of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.

Carlos Sainz's Recent Career Path and Audi Links

Carlos Sainz, following Ferrari's decision to sign Lewis Hamilton, engaged in extensive discussions with Audi throughout 2024. While he ultimately joined Williams for the 2025 season, achieving two podium finishes in his debut year with the team, Williams' performance has seen a downturn in 2026. This dip in form has reignited discussions about a potential move for Sainz to Audi, yet Binotto remains firm in his current driver choices.

Oscar Piastri: A Future Prospect?

More recently, McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has also been mentioned as a possible target for Audi. This speculation arises amidst possibilities of Piastri departing the Woking-based team or being replaced by four-time world champion Max Verstappen. However, Binotto's statements indicate no immediate plans to pursue Piastri, reinforcing his contentment with the established lineup.

Binotto's Perspective on External Attention

Responding to inquiries about these rumors, Binotto stated that he doesn't actively follow media reports but acknowledges the buzz. He remarked on his long-standing acquaintance with Carlos Sainz, noting the ease with which Sainz could be linked to Audi. Nevertheless, he reiterated his strong approval of Hulkenberg and Bortoleto, describing them as a potent combination of experience and youthful talent. Binotto emphasized that the mere existence of such rumors demonstrates the increasing credibility and perceived competitiveness of the Audi project, transforming it from mere conjecture into an established reality.

Marco Bezzecchi demonstrated extraordinary resilience by breaking the Silverstone circuit record during practice for the British Grand Prix, even as he openly discussed the ongoing struggle with pain and limited movement stemming from recent injuries. His impressive performance underscores a determined return to the track after a challenging recovery period.

Bezzecchi's participation in the weekend's events was initially uncertain after he sustained injuries to both his collarbone and knee during a crash at the Sachsenring practice a month prior. Despite these setbacks, the Italian rider swiftly adapted upon his return to a MotoGP bike, achieving a remarkable lap time of 1m56.280s, which placed him at the top of the day's standings. This achievement was particularly noteworthy given the physical challenges he faced.

However, while his single-lap speed was undeniable, Bezzecchi emphasized that his physical condition was far from optimal. He confessed that both his collarbone and knee injuries were significantly impacting his overall fitness and endurance, especially during sustained periods of high-intensity riding.

He elaborated on the difficulties encountered, stating, "The day was fantastic. Obviously, I am very happy to make a good lap time, but the overall assessment of the day is a little bit different than this. In terms of long-run pace, I'm struggling a bit more. When I have to complete four or five consecutive laps, I start to suffer considerably. By the end of the session, I was utterly exhausted. I'm pushing myself, particularly because of my knee. It's a smaller injury, but it's causing me immense frustration. My days at home were quite difficult."

Bezzecchi also highlighted the specific challenges posed by the track's layout, noting, "I'm forcing myself, especially during changes of direction. I can't fully bend my legs, so I'm experiencing considerable difficulty. This track, in particular, features many rapid changes of direction." When questioned about whether his struggles were due to pain or mobility, he confirmed it was both, explaining that the pain was persistent due to a fracture and a missing piece of bone.

Following his withdrawal from the German GP, Bezzecchi underwent surgeries on his left knee and broken collarbone during the summer break. The demanding rehabilitation process, which is still ongoing, prevented him from riding a production bike until the week leading up to the British GP.

Reflecting on his rehabilitation, the 27-year-old rider described his injuries as severe. He explained that the collarbone fracture was particularly bad, necessitating a complex surgery. The knee injury, although initially appearing minor, involved a deep wound and bone damage that also required complicated surgical intervention. "At home, it was challenging to disconnect during this break," he remarked. "It was impossible because I started going to the gym on Monday after having surgery on Sunday. I did everything possible to prepare for my return here, and it was not easy."

Despite his impressive start and Aprilia's strong performance, Bezzecchi remained cautious about his prospects at Silverstone. He expressed his hope to successfully complete both races, acknowledging the high intensity of the sprint race despite its shorter duration. He stated his intention to prioritize rest and recovery with his physiotherapist and Aprilia's medical team to be in the best possible condition for the upcoming racing days.