Allan McNish takes the wheel on the track for Audi

There are internal changes afoot at Audi. As part of a restructuring of its organization, the German automaker has officially announced the appointment of Allan McNish as director of motorsports. He is set to take up his new role starting with the Miami Grand Prix.

This decision comes following the departure of Jonathan Wheatley, less than a year after his arrival. Rather than looking outside the company, Audi chose to rely on a well-known figure from within.

McNish, a long-standing figure in the brand's motorsports program, will work under the leadership of Mattia Binotto, who is now heading the project. A streamlined organization with a clear objective: to effectively structure the team as it is currently being built.

A central role in all track operations

The newly created position of Director of Competition covers a broad scope. McNish will oversee track operations, technical coordination, driver management, race strategy, and activities with the media and partners.

In other words, he will be at the heart of the operation on race weekends, where everything is decided—from tire choices to reading strategic windows, to the execution of pit stops.

An experienced figure loyal to Audi

Although his stint in Formula 1 was brief (17 starts with Toyota in 2002), McNish has built a solid reputation primarily in endurance racing.

A three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and World Endurance Champion, the Scot is thoroughly familiar with the demands of the highest level—particularly in terms of team management and strategic decision-making over the long haul.

At Audi, he has held several key positions: coordination of the motorsport program, leadership in Formula E, and more recently, management of driver development. A role he will retain alongside his new responsibilities.

Audi Accelerates Its Organizational Structure

This appointment is part of the growing momentum of Audi's F1 project, built around the Sauber foundation. At this stage, every organizational decision counts, and the goal is clear: to lay a solid foundation before aiming higher.

Binotto, for his part, welcomes a profile capable of bridging the gap between all performance-related departments—a point often underestimated but crucial in a discipline where even the slightest disconnect comes at a high cost.

For his part, McNish describes it as an “exciting” challenge during a pivotal phase for both Audi and F1. The goal is crystal clear: to continuously improve every aspect of on-track performance.