Mattia Binotto, who was recently appointed by Audi to oversee their works F1 team in 2026, has made waves with his explanation for not hiring Mick Schumacher as Sauber’s second driver for next season. As Audi prepares for its F1 debut, Binotto’s influence is already being felt at the Swiss team, which is set to become Audi’s official factory operation in just two years.
The Decision-Making Process
Following a tough 2023 season, where Sauber has yet to score a point despite the talent of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, Binotto has had to make key decisions about the team’s future. Both Bottas and Zhou have lost their seats for next year, with Sauber opting for fresh talent. Nico Hülkenberg, who was signed by former team principal Andreas Seidl, will partner a new teammate in 2025.
While the team was initially considering retaining Bottas, the final decision saw young Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto being chosen over several candidates, including Mick Schumacher. According to reports from F1 Insider, the decision not to hire Schumacher came down to a rather peculiar reason.
The “Too Many Germans” Logic
Binotto reportedly told Sauber staff that he chose Bortoleto over Schumacher because he felt having two German drivers on the team would be “too many.” Despite Schumacher’s pedigree in junior racing and his time at Haas F1, where he struggled with an underperforming car, this reasoning left many scratching their heads.
Schumacher’s junior career was strong, and he impressed as a Mercedes reserve driver after being dropped from Haas in favor of Hülkenberg. Many expected him to be a strong contender for a Sauber seat, especially with his connection to the German carmaker and his ongoing role as a Mercedes driver.
However, Binotto’s decision seems to have been influenced by the belief that pairing Schumacher with Hülkenberg, another German driver, would lack the desired balance in the team. Binotto’s choice of Bortoleto, a Brazilian driver, was viewed as a better fit for diversifying the team’s driver lineup.
A Questionable Rationale?
The reasoning behind this decision is certainly unconventional. It’s not uncommon for teams to have two drivers from the same country—both Alpine and Mercedes currently field all-French and all-German driver pairings, respectively. Moreover, Audi, which owns Sauber, is keen on establishing itself as a truly German team when it enters F1.
Thus, Binotto’s rationale of avoiding “too many Germans” appears contradictory to Audi’s long-term strategy. Some believe that other factors—such as the desire for fresh talent and perhaps the financial or marketing benefits of having a driver from Brazil—could have played a larger role in the decision.
Looking Ahead
With Mick Schumacher out of the running at Sauber, the focus now shifts to how his future will unfold. Despite his lack of success in Formula 1 so far, Schumacher’s continued involvement with Mercedes and his racing in the World Endurance Championship suggests that opportunities may still come for him in the coming years.
For now, however, Sauber’s decision to go with Bortoleto and Binotto’s explanation for not hiring Schumacher is another reminder of the often unpredictable nature of F1 driver markets.
