Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Allan McNish is poised to be appointed by Audi as its new racing director, as part of a significant management restructuring of the Formula 1 project ahead of the Miami Grand Prix 2026.
The move follows a period of leadership instability within the organisation, most notably the departure of Jonathan Wheatley from the team principal role in late March for personal reasons. Since then, Mattia Binotto has assumed expanded responsibilities beyond his position as head of Audi’s F1 project, particularly in managing race weekend operations.
During the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, Binotto indicated the need for additional operational support at trackside, prompting Audi to establish the racing director role. This position is intended to oversee race operations, coordinate on-track execution, and act as a key interface between technical departments and media activities during grand prix events.
While Audi is understood to have explored external candidates, the organisation has ultimately leaned toward an internal appointment. Inaki Rueda was considered due to his long-standing professional relationship with Binotto dating back to their time at Ferrari. However, McNish’s extensive experience and established ties within Audi have positioned him as the leading candidate.
McNish brings a strong motorsport pedigree, including three victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and previous experience as team principal of Audi’s Formula E programme. He currently serves as head of Audi’s driver development programme, making him a well-integrated figure within the organisation with a comprehensive understanding of its long-term strategy.
This anticipated appointment reflects Audi’s effort to stabilise its Formula 1 structure following multiple leadership changes since announcing its entry into the championship in 2022. The project was initially led by Andreas Seidl alongside Oliver Hoffmann, both of whom exited under turbulent circumstances in mid-2024.
Binotto subsequently joined as CEO, followed by Wheatley, whose tenure lasted less than a year. These repeated shifts in leadership raised questions about the team’s readiness for its debut season.
On track, however, early indications suggest steady progress. With a driver line-up featuring Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi currently sits eighth in the constructors’ championship with two points from the opening three races, despite showing signs of underlying competitiveness.
From an operational standpoint, the introduction of a racing director is expected to enhance decision-making efficiency during race weekends while reducing the workload previously concentrated on Binotto. It also establishes a clearer separation between long-term technical development and immediate trackside execution.
Audi has not officially confirmed the appointment, with a spokesperson declining to comment on speculation. However, with an announcement expected ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the restructuring represents a critical step in reinforcing the organisational foundation of Audi’s Formula 1 project.
The effectiveness of this leadership adjustment will be pivotal in determining Audi’s competitive trajectory as the 2026 season progresses and as the team builds toward future regulatory cycles.
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