Allan McNish promoted to Director of Competition at Audi F1 Team

Audi announced on Friday, April 24, 2026, the appointment of Allan McNish as motorsport director. The three-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner will report directly to Mattia Binotto.

Published 24/04/2026 à 14:02

Valentin GLO

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Allan McNish promoted to Director of Competition at Audi F1 Team

©Audi

A central figure in the program since its inception, McNish will now be responsible for coordinating all on-track operations. His scope of action will encompass sporting aspects as well as technical coordination, driver management, race strategy, and garage and trackside activities, including media and partner relations. He will officially assume his role at the Miami Grand Prix.

A natural progression for Allan McNish

This promotion appears to be a natural progression for the Scotsman, who has been deeply involved in the Audi project from the outset. His in-depth knowledge of the organization, combined with his high-level motorsport experience, makes him a logical choice at this pivotal moment in the team's development.

Former pilot of Formula 1McNish has particularly distinguished himself in endurance racing, with three victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1998, 2008, 2013) and a title in FIA World Endurance Championship in 2013Within Audi, he held key positions, notably as Group Motorsport Coordination Director and Team Principal in Formula EMore recently, he led the young driver development program, a role he will retain alongside his new responsibilities. In his new position, McNish will report directly to Mattia binotto, recently appointed CEO and Team Principal of the team.

« Allan brings an exceptional combination of racing experience, of technical understanding and leadership, Binotto emphasizes. He has played a key role in the Audi Motorsport structure for many years and has contributed significantly to the preparation of our entry into Formula 1, particularly regarding technical partnerships. »

The Italian leader also emphasized the importance of this appointment in the current context: This strengthens our leadership on the track at a crucial moment in the project. His ability to connect all areas of performance will be key to building the team. » For his part, McNish mentions “ a privilege " and " an exciting challenge ". " Audi is a brand that means a great deal to me. Being able to represent it, as well as our partners, at the highest level of motorsport is an honor. ", the person in question points out,

The new competition director is already emphasizing overall performance. Our project is ambitious. indicates the Scotsman. My goal will be to ensure that all aspects of our racing operations reach their highest level of competitiveness and continuously improve. "This promotion follows Jonathan Wheatley's sudden departure from his position as team principal after the first two rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season."

ALSO READ > What is behind Jonathan Wheatley's surprise departure from Audi?

Valentin GLO

Journalist. Endurance reporter (WEC, IMSA, ELMS, ALMS) and sometimes F1 or IndyCar.

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2 Comment (s)

A

Alain Féguenne (🇱🇺 Luxembourg)

24/04/2026 at 06:00 a.m.

Hi everyone, as I announced over three weeks ago… Allan McNish has been confirmed as Director of Motorsports, very good news for… Audi 👏🍾👍. 😎👀. alainkf1@pt.lu

Yves-Henri RANDIER

24/04/2026 at 03:35 a.m.

A perfectly logical internal promotion for someone from within the Audi establishment, with a parallel revised role for Mattia BINOTTO which implicitly suggests that the roles of BINOTTO and WHEATLEY were perhaps not ideally distributed!

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