Allan McNish Appointed Audi F1 Racing Director for Miami 2026

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Allan McNish has been appointed Racing Director by Audi for its Formula 1 programme, effective from the Miami Grand Prix 2026, as the manufacturer strengthens its trackside leadership structure.

The newly created role is designed to support Mattia Binotto, who assumed overall responsibility for Audi’s F1 project following the departure of Jonathan Wheatley. Audi identified the need for an additional senior figure to oversee race operations as the project enters a critical development phase.

McNish, a three-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner and former Formula 1 driver, is already embedded within the Audi structure as head of its driver development programme. He also brings leadership experience from his tenure as team principal of Audi’s Formula E project, where he guided the team to the 2017/18 teams’ championship.

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In his new position, McNish will be responsible for coordinating all trackside operations, including oversight of sporting matters, engineering integration, driver management, race strategy, garage operations, and on-track media and partner activities. The role is intended to ensure alignment across all performance-related departments during race weekends.

“It is a privilege to take on the role of Racing Director for Audi F1 Team. This is a marque that means a lot to me, and it is an honour to represent Audi and our partners at the highest level of motorsport,” McNish said.

“This is an exciting challenge at a pivotal moment in the history of Audi and Formula 1. My focus will be on ensuring that all aspects of our race operations are delivering at the most competitive level and continuously improving.”

He also confirmed that he will maintain close involvement with the driver development programme, which remains a key component of Audi’s long-term strategy.

Binotto welcomed the appointment, highlighting McNish’s experience and influence within Audi’s motorsport structure as critical assets at this stage of the project.

“Allan brings an exceptional combination of racing experience, technical understanding, and leadership,” Binotto stated.

“He has been a central part of Audi’s motorsport structure for many years and has played a key role in shaping our preparation for Formula 1, particularly in developing technical partnerships.”

Binotto emphasized that McNish’s ability to connect all performance areas—from sporting operations to driver development—will be fundamental as Audi continues to build its competitive framework.

With this appointment, Audi reinforces its organisational structure ahead of its full Formula 1 entry, with the Miami Grand Prix set to mark the first implementation of McNish’s expanded role in a race environment.