Audi has provided a positive update on their F1 power unit development for 2026, the German manufacturer signaling that its engineers are hitting all their targets.
Audi announced in the summer of 2022 its ambitious plans to join the F1 grid as a power unit supplier, a move that coincides with the introduction of new regulations that emphasize increased electrical power and the use of 100% sustainable fuels.
To solidify its F1 project, the Ingolstadt firm opted for a strategic partnership with Sauber which eventually culminated in Audi acquiring a 100% stake in the Swiss-based operation.
The agreement signifies a complete rebranding for Sauber, transforming the Hinwil squad into a fully-fledged Audi works team by the 2026 season, the dawn of a new era for F1.
Over the past 18 months, tireless work has been ongoing behind the scenes at Audi's state-of-the-art facility in Neuburg which boasts 22 cutting-edge test benches and a plethora of advanced development tools.
This infrastructure, coupled with Sauber's Hinwil facility, fosters a "genuine factory team mode," ensuring a collaborative and efficient development environment.
Offering a glimpse into this progress, Adam Baker, CEO of Audi Formula Racing, shared some promising news: “After just two years, our power unit, consisting of a combustion engine, electric motor, battery and control electronics, is running dynamically on the test bench.
“Successfully marrying the various components into a single unit is the result of hard work and great teamwork.
“The Audi Power Unit has already covered simulated race distances on the test bench. We gained a lot of testing time with the individual components in 2023 and were able to incorporate the experience gained into the next construction stages in parallel.
“Significant milestones and goals have been achieved, which gives the entire team a good feeling.”
Although F1 is new to Audi, the company's experience in other hybrid and electric motorsport categories has been a significant asset for its engineers, according to Audi Formula Racing CTO Stefan Dreyer.
“Intensity is a good keyword for our performance development,” he said. “So far, we have achieved all the targets we set ourselves for performance and efficiency in this phase.
“In addition, our fuel development has been running since 2022 with a strong partner who has many years of experience in Formula 1.
“This is a really decisive factor for our project, as the new sustainable fuel for 2026 will have even greater competitive relevance.”
According to Baker, additional advantages for Audi include starting "on a blank sheet of paper" and operating at the cost cap limit for power unit development, which "puts us on a par with our competitors."
But the proximity of Audi’s F1 division with the constructor’s automotive hub is also a significant benefit.
“The local proximity to our parent company Audi in Ingolstadt is a great advantage for us in many ways. There are many technical experts in the region, especially for the development of drivetrain components.
“The other F1 Power Unit manufacturers are based in the UK, France, Italy and Japan. If you want to bring in employees from competitors, they usually have to move to another country – that’s a challenge, but it’s no greater for us than for anyone else. People not only have to be prepared to change employer, but also the country.
“The fact that we were successful in recruiting experienced engineers and technicians from all other power unit manufacturers shows that our project and the location are attractive – also for international experts and talents. We now have a broad mix in the team with employees from 23 countries.”
Dreyer added: “Not only do we have a broad international base, but we have also strengthened our existing motorsport expertise at Audi Sport with external F1 expertise. This has helped to accelerate our learning curve considerably.
“Everyone is giving the project maximum speed and is eagerly looking forward to entering Formula 1. Motivation is extremely high, and we sense a strong team spirit.”
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