F1 as global stage for ‘Advance by Technology’<\/h2>\n
The Formula One project is a strategic figurehead for Audi and reflects the brand’s renewed technological, cultural and entrepreneurial spirit. The project is intended to inspire both customers and employees. Development and racing take place within an economically attractive framework: a cost cap that applies to all teams ensures a clearly defined budget and conditions, while Formula 1’s global reach provides strong brand awareness and sponsorship opportunities. Globally, Formula 1 has been an established sports platform for decades, and it is the most popular sport in the world with more than 820 million fans. In 2024, about 1.6 billion TV viewers watched the races. The financial value of Formula One teams runs into the billions. The future Audi F1 team already has three multinationals as partners – Adidas, BP and future title partner Revolut – and there is a lot of interest in supporting Audi in Formula One. <\/p>\n
Sauber Group acquired<\/h2>\n
For its participation in Formula One, Audi acquired Switzerland’s Sauber Group in its entirety early this year, creating the conditions for bringing Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund on board as an investor. At the helm of the Audi F1 Project are two experienced Formula One managers: former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley (ex-Red Bull), who report directly to Audi CEO Gernot D\u00f6llner. In terms of drivers, the brand relies on a combination of experience and youthful energy with seasoned driver Nico H\u00fclkenberg (Germany) and young, talented Gabriel Bortoleto (Brazil). <\/p>\n Motorsport is part of the Audi DNA and has always been a driving force behind technological progress and innovation. Audi has made every motorsport project a success with determination, courage, perseverance and team spirit and has always been pioneering in this: from the first mid-engine Grand Prix car to Quattro all-wheel drive in rallying to diesel, hybrid and electric powertrains at Le Mans, in Formula E and in the Dakar Rally. Audi’s involvement in Formula 1 is intended to follow this up. <\/p>\n This “pinnacle” of motorsport is considered the toughest testing laboratory in the world. Its short development cycles, minimal hierarchy and quick decisions are meant to set an example for the entire company. At the same time, Audi is close to the latest technological developments and materials. Thanks to its open competition, Formula 1 acts as a driver of technology for both electric mobility and sustainable e-fuels; two topics that are also highly relevant to Audi’s production models. In these two areas, the F1 regulations offer a great deal of freedom and room for innovation. <\/p>\n Drastic changes in Formula 1’s technical regulations from 2026 offer Audi as a newcomer an ideal opportunity to enter this class. All participants must simultaneously familiarize themselves with new rules and technologies, both in terms of chassis and powertrain. <\/p>\n Since spring 2022, Audi has been developing the powertrain for Formula 1 in Neuburg an der Donau, the only operational site of an F1 team in Germany. This powertrain consists of a 1.6-liter V6 gasoline engine (ICE) with turbo technology, an energy recovery system (ERS) including energy storage (ES) and an electric motor-generator unit (MGU-K), as well as an electronic control unit (CU-K). In addition to the power unit, the transmission is also being developed in Neuburg. Together with the power unit, they form the so-called powertrain. <\/p>\n The new technical rules for F1 powertrains focus on greater relevance of the technology for public road cars, with a new hybrid concept. The power of the electric motor has been tripled and in the future will be comparable to that of the fuel engine, powered by renewable fuels from 2026. Audi has been working on this exclusively with the British company BP since 2022. <\/p>\n Concept development for the “made in Germany” F1 powertrain began in 2022. Just two years later, the complete unit was running dynamically in a race simulation on the test bench for the first time. Virtual simulations and digital development tools are particularly important here, as regulations do not allow for on-track testing of the new powertrains until early 2026. As in product development at Audi, dynamic driving simulators and digital tools play an important role in the development process. The first systems for track use are now ready and will be shipped from Neuburg an der Donau to their respective locations starting in December. <\/p>\n The team develops and builds the race cars at the F1 factory in Hinwil. The Swiss location is also responsible for the planning and execution of racing activities. In addition, since the summer of 2025, a technology workshop has been operational in Bicester, in the United Kingdom. The presence in the so-called “Motorsport Valley” gives the team access to additional F1 expertise. There is intensive technical cooperation between the locations to fully exploit the advantages and capabilities of a factory team through the seamless integration of the power unit and chassis. <\/p>\n The future Audi F1 team will make its real public debut in January 2026 during the official team launch. Shortly afterwards – at the end of January – the first official tests with the new generation of Formula 1 cars will take place in Barcelona, still behind closed doors. During follow-up tests in Bahrain (Feb. 11-13 and Feb. 18-20), the Audi factory team will test in Formula 1 for the first time in front of the public, before the brand’s long-awaited debut in the king class of global motorsport takes place in Melbourne, Australia, from March 6-8. <\/p>\n Mattia Binotto Jonathan Wheatley Massimo Frascella November 2025 December 2025 January 2026 February 2026 March 2026![\"Audi](\"https:\/\/autorai.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/audi-r26-concept-kleurstelling-foto19-1140x641.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nFrom motorsport heritage to Formula One newcomer<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/autorai.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/audi-r26-concept-kleurstelling-foto20-1140x855.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nMilestones and the journey to Formula One<\/h2>\n
New powertrains<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/autorai.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/audi-r26-concept-kleurstelling-foto28-1140x759.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nFirst race in Formula One<\/h2>\n
Comments team members Audi F1 team<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>“This is for us the most exciting project in motorsports. The goal is clear: to compete for championships by 2030. That journey requires time, the right people and a mindset of continuous improvement. We have defined our route to the top and are now laying the foundation for it. Formula 1 is one of the most competitive environments. Making mistakes is inevitable, but learning from them is the power behind transformation. In addition, Formula 1 is a team effort: engineers, mechanics, designers, partners; every contribution means a step forward. Next year, Audi’s first F1 car will take to the track. That moment will be the beginning of something special.”<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/strong>“Formula One is not just about technology; it’s also about mindset, focus, resilience and confidence without complacency. We will face setbacks, but every setback is a learning experience that is going to lead to new insights. Learning from mistakes in a safe environment enables progress. When the five starting lights go out in Melbourne next year, Audi will be entering Formula One for the very first time. We are going to see a team that believes in each other, in the mission and in our unlimited potential.”<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/strong>“We want to establish a brand capable of making a deep emotional connection, forging new partnerships with like-minded brands and inspiring a global community. The Audi R26 Concept is one of the first manifestations of our new design language. We want to have the most striking car on the grid. We want to be the brand with the most guts off the track. And we want to create a cultural impact that goes beyond the grid.”<\/em><\/p>\nTimeline: Audi and the road to Formula One<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>The Audi R26 Concept will be unveiled at an event in Munich. It gives a concrete preview of how the brand will present itself in the absolute top of motorsport in the future. <\/p>\n
<\/strong>The first Audi F1 power units are shipped by sea freight to Bahrain for pre-season testing.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>The Audi F1 project officially becomes a Formula One team on January 1. The first Audi Formula One racing car is presented. From January 26 to 30, the first official test drives of the new generation of Formula 1 cars take place in Barcelona – still behind closed doors. <\/p>\n
<\/strong>During further tests in Bahrain (Feb. 11-13 and Feb. 18-20), Audi will test in public for the first time in Formula One.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Debut of the Audi F1 team at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ambitious statement from Audi \"With our debut at the top of global motorsport, Audi is making a clear, ambitious statement,\"…","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":159590,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-165263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-car-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n