P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Wolf to Audi! F1 team poach key manager from rivals
The Audi F1 team has made a significant acquisition by securing a key figure from a rival team in preparation for their debut in the sport in 2026. With new regulations set to be implemented across all F1 teams next season, Audi, transitioning from Sauber, and Cadillac, as the 11th team, will face a fresh start. The regulation overhaul historically reshuffles the competitive landscape in F1, as seen with Mercedes losing dominance to Red Bull in 2022. Ferrari, emerging as competitive, saw Charles Leclerc finish second behind Max Verstappen that season. However, Ferrari has now lost Wolf Zimmermann, a crucial figure in their engine department, to former F1 boss Mattia Binotto at Audi for their 2026 F1 entry, emphasizing the magnitude of this transition for both teams.
