Audi F1 team names sportscar great Allan McNish as racing director after turbulent start to 2026

Audi has named former sportscar star Allan McNish as its new Racing Director, reshaping the team’s Formula 1 leadership after a turbulent start to the 2026 season.

The official team announcement on April 24 said McNish will take trackside accountability from the Miami Grand Prix onward. His remit includes sporting matters, engineering coordination, driver management, race strategy and garage operations.

McNish will report to Mattia Binotto, who serves as Audi’s CEO and Team Principal. Formula 1 and other motorsport outlets independently confirmed the appointment later the same day.

The move gives Audi a new race-operations leader as it continues building its F1 structure. With the Miami race now set as the start date for McNish’s trackside role, the team has effectively drawn a line under the opening phase of its 2026 reshuffle.

For Audi, the appointment is a sign that the team is tightening its operational structure around a more defined race weekend chain of command.