Audi has got the jump on sister company Porsche in officially announcing a Formula 1 entry, with chairman of the board of management, Markus Duesmann, confirming the move at the Spa Grand Prix. “Motorsport is an integral part of Audi’s DNA,” said Duesmann. “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.”
According to Audi, the new power unit rules New unit power rules, due to be introduced in 2026, were the main motivating factor behind the move.
Oliver Hoffmann, member of the board for technical development, said, “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’s technical development department will enable synergies.”
The power unit will be built at Audi Sport’s Competence Center Motorsport in Neuburg an der Donau, not far from the company’s company headquarters in Ingolstadt. “For the development and manufacture of the Formula 1 powertrain, we will build on the valuable expertise of our motorsport employees, continue to invest in our motorsport center and also recruit highly specialized professionals,” added Audi Sport managing director Julius Seebach, who organized the entry into Formula 1 as part of Audi’s realignment of motorsport activities.
Audi stated that Neuburg facility already has test benches suitable for F1 engine testing as well as for electric motor and battery testing. Additional necessary 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.
A separate company was recently founded for the power unit project as a wholly owned subsidiary of Audi Sport, which will be headed by Adam Baker, who recently worked as safety commissioner for the FIA, before which he was at Cosworth and BMW.