We have recognized Audi have been heading for Components 1 in 2026 for round three years. Nevertheless it wasn’t till Wednesday, once they hosted a blinding launch occasion in Munich to unveil the colors and design that can adorn their first F1 automobile, that it felt just like the German producer had actually arrived.
Audi have loved immense success throughout numerous motorsport classes, from endurance racing and the well-known Le Mans 24 Hours to rallying and touring automobiles.
That success was on present at this occasion, with the likes of CEO Gernot Dollner, Head of Audi F1 venture Mattia Binotto and Staff Principal Jonathan Wheatley, plus their drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto and F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali arriving in a collection of classic equipment that has gained Audi a lot silverware over time.
“This appears like a really vital second on our journey,” says Wheatley once we converse on the crimson carpet on the occasion. “To see all of the automobiles – it is like Audi have opened up the toy field and obtained all the automobiles out right here tonight. I had a spin in a Quattro Sport, which is certainly one of my favorite automobiles, spherical to the occasion simply now. All of it feels actual, it feels prefer it’s taking place.”
Audi are happy with what they’ve achieved in motor racing to this point. They’ve dipped their toe in, invested closely in know-how and design after which in the end gained. Taking up the problem of Components 1 is the pure subsequent step. And whereas reaching the highest step will not be the work of the second – they intend to discover a solution to get there earlier than the top of the last decade.
“We’ve got obtained our plans, we all know our rivals are robust, however we’re right here to attempt to do properly,” Binotto tells me. “We’re aiming to win a championship by 2030. That is our ambition, our purpose, our goal.”
That is 5 years for Audi to show a Sauber squad who’re combating within the thick of the midfield and have solely beforehand gained one race of their numerous iterations, however have made progress this yr underneath the management of Binotto and Wheatley into an operation that may battle the likes of McLaren, Purple Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari for race wins – and the championship.
That focus on reveals that the board perceive and respect the problem F1 presents but in addition reveals Audi’s massive ambitions, as 5 years isn’t very lengthy in F1.
They’re ploughing large quantities of useful resource into their energy unit base in Neuberg, Germany, the place the primary Audi energy unit is coming to life. They wish to develop Hinwil, which has been Sauber’s dwelling since they entered F1 in 1993 and from subsequent yr might be accountable for churning out the primary Audi F1 automobile. And they’ll in the end need a return on that funding.
For subsequent yr, although, they’re being pragmatic. Nobody is aware of what the pecking order will appear like given the sweeping new guidelines that can see very completely different chassis – which can function energetic aero – and brand-new energy items that put a better concentrate on battery energy and which can run superior sustainable gas.
“[The Audi board have given us a] very practical set of targets,” says Wheatley. “They perceive the journey we’re on, they’ve been extremely understanding of how lengthy that will take, the phases alongside the best way, the actual fact all the things must be in place, get greater then consolidate your place for some time, get greater once more after which consolidate.
“So, our goal actually is to maintain constructing on this momentum, which we began this yr. We have to carry that by means of – and that can make us championship challengers on the finish of the last decade.”
With their motorsport heritage taking centre stage to open the occasion, it was then the flip of the R26 Idea automobile to interrupt cowl, donning the color scheme that can coat their new F1 machines. The Audi crimson, black and titanium and straight, clear strains, was very Audi. That they carried out intensive analysis of how the colors will look on TV through the broadcast reveals each element issues to the German agency.
“It is about releasing one thing actually distinctive,” says Wheatley. “Should you have a look at an F1 automobile in 5 years, you may say that is an Audi, in 10 years’ time, you may say that is an Audi. It is about setting a design ethos that can simply carry by means of.”
Beneath the paintjob, however away from prying eyes (because the livery was unveiled on an idea present automobile) in Hinwil, the primary Audi F1 automobile is coming collectively. “It is wanting nice as a automobile,” says Binotto. “I’m having fun with the brand new rules, I am having fun with the problem from an engineering standpoint.
“The complete staff at Hinwil and Neuberg are excited, it’s going to be very particular for us in a number of weeks’ time once we hearth up the automobile – after which in a while we’ll hit the observe very quickly. Subsequent yr, once we are in Melbourne, it’s going to be a particular second for all of us. The dream is coming shut.”
Binotto has an immense quantity of expertise in Components 1, with a big chunk of that centred across the energy unit, having headed up that division for a interval throughout his lengthy stint at Ferrari. He of all folks is aware of how massive a problem it’s for Audi to not solely get an influence unit prepared in a fairly quick period of time however to take action having by no means constructed a Components 1 engine that has hit the observe.
“The problem is massive,” he says. “The ability unit is a fancy and troublesome matter. The event of the facility unit takes time, it takes longer than the chassis and aero. The staff began years in the past to develop the facility unit and it is working properly on the dyno. However for us will probably be a protracted journey, and there might be a lot we have to study, however we’re all excited.
“On the dyno, we’re working by means of reliability in the meanwhile, guaranteeing reliability might be alright for the beginning of the season. There are some tense moments in Neuberg – however that is the problem.”
He provides: “I believe the facility unit problem is troublesome, however to grow to be World Champion, to grow to be the perfect automobile on observe, all of the challenges are difficult. I do not assume you possibly can choose one or the opposite being essentially the most troublesome. However for a brand new producer, actually it isn’t straightforward.”
Thrilling occasions forward, then, for Audi. The German automotive are taking their entry into F1 very critically – and so they need to beat the perfect. Based mostly on their strategy to this point, they’ve obtained off to a powerful begin.
