Audi Sport joins F1 set as engine supplier

AFTER years successfully competing in numerous motorsport disciplines, Audi has this week confirmed its intention to compete as an engine supplier in the FIA Formula 1 from 2026.

Audi Sport is pooling its strengths for the Formula 1 project and is discontinuing its LMDh project. The motorsport division had recently suspended the development of the sports car for endurance racing.

However, alongside customer racing, Audi Sport will continue its innovation project with the RS-Q e-tron in the Dakar Rally. Next year, Audi's aim is overall victory in the desert.

Based out of Audi Sport's facility in Neuburg near Ingolstadt (Germany), the F1 project marks the first time in a decade that an F1 powertrain has been built in Germany.

The F1 news was announced at a press conference before the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

At the conference, Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG said: “Motorsport is an integral part of Audi's DNA and Formula 1 is both a global stage for our brand and a highly challenging development laboratory”.

“The combination of high performance and competition is always a driver of innovation and technology transfer in our industry. With the new rules, now is the right time for us to get involved. After all, Formula 1 and Audi both pursue clear sustainability goals.”

Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development, said: “The key to getting involved in the world's most popular racing series is the part of a clear plan to become more sustainable and cost-efficient”.

“The new technical rules, which will apply from 2026, focus on greater electrification and advanced sustainable fuel. In addition to the existing cap on costs for teams, a cost cap for power unit manufacturers will be introduced in 2023.

“In addition, Formula 1 has set itself the ambitious goal of being a carbon-neutral racing series by 2030.

“In view of the major technological leaps that the series is making towards sustainability in 2026, we can speak of a new Formula 1. Formula 1 is transforming, and Audi wants to actively support this journey.

“A close link between our Formula 1 project and AUDI AG's Technical Development department will enable synergies,” he said.

To clarify, from 2026, the electric power output for power units in F1 cars, consisting of an electric motor, battery, control electronics, and a combustion engine, will increase sharply compared to today’s Formula 1 drive systems.

Reflecting mainstream automotive developments, the electric motor will be nearly as powerful as the combustion engine, which has an output of about 400kW. The Audi powertrain will use a high efficiency 1.6-litre turbo engine running on advanced sustainable fuel.

Audi decided on a commitment to F1 because the championship is globally recognised, highly emotional, and technologically advanced – what Audi says meets their exact requirements particularly as the series holds races in all relevant markets of the brand.

As we rapidly enter the EV era, F1 provides a spectacular platform, with more than 1.5 billion television viewers globally, for the most demanding electrified racing cars in the world… something of particular interest to car-makers.

On social media, Formula 1 is now experiencing the highest growth rates among the world’s most popular sports.

Audi says it is taking on the challenge of proving its Vorsprung durch Technik in this competitive environment. The Audi F1 power unit will be built at Audi Sport’s state-of-the-art Competence Centre Motorsport in Neuburg an der Donau, not far from AUDI AG’s company headquarters in Ingolstadt.

“For the development and manufacture of the Formula 1 power train, we will build on the valuable expertise of our motorsport employees, continue to invest in our motorsports centre, and also recruit highly specialized professionals,” said Audi Sport managing director Julius Seebach, who organised the entry into Formula 1 as part of Audi’s realignment of motorsport.

The Neuburg facility already has test benches for F1 engine testing as well as for electric motor and battery testing.

Additional preparations are currently being made in terms of personnel, buildings, and technical infrastructure, with everything essential to be in place by the end of the year.

Audi says a separate company was recently founded for the power unit project as a wholly owned subsidiary of Audi Sport.

Adam Baker will take over the management of the company and thus the Formula 1 project as CEO. A trained engineer, he has held various senior positions for manufacturers and teams in motorsport. Before joining Audi in 2021, he worked for the FIA for three years.

By the end of this year Audi will announce a decision on which team they will be linking with for 2026.