Audi appoints Allan McNish as Racing Director ahead of Miami GP

Allan McNish, three‑time Le Mans champion and ex‑Toyota F1 driver, has been named Racing Director of the Audi F1 team, taking charge of race‑weekend operations from the Miami Grand Prix. The appointment fills the vacancy left by Jonathan Wheatley’s early‑season exit and gives Mattia Binotto a dedicated on‑track leader as he focuses on the programme’s transformation at Hinwil.

Why it matters:

• Provides a permanent on‑track leader after Wheatley’s exit, stabilising the team’s weekend structure.
• Aligns sporting, engineering and driver development under one senior figure, streamlining decision‑making.

The details:

• McNish has been with Audi’s F1 project from the start, previously leading the Formula E programme and driver‑development pathway.
• He will oversee sporting ops, engineering coordination, race strategy and driver management at each circuit, reporting to Binotto.
• Audi sit eighth in the Constructors’ Championship with two points after three rounds.
• With the 2026 car still in development, strong weekend execution is vital for data and performance gains.

What’s next:

• McNish’s first test will come at the Miami GP, where Audi will aim to improve qualifying pace and race reliability.
• Binotto will remain largely factory‑based, allowing the new structure to enable quicker on‑track adjustments and clearer communication with the drivers.
• Consistent points finishes under McNish’s guidance could accelerate Audi’s climb up the midfield and sharpen feedback for the 2026 entry.