Audi ‘s confirmation came this Friday morning, ahead of the start of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, after the FIA last week approved the rules for the next power unit cycle due to start in 2026.
Audi’s entry marks the Volkswagen Group ‘s first big step into F1 from 2026. From that season, its sister brand Porsche will also join the grid through a partnership with Red Bull.
Audi will develop its new power unit at its Neuburg headquarters, with Adam Baker leading the project. They already have test benches for F1 engines and plans are underway to increase staff and infrastructure for the Audi F1 project by the end of the year.
“Motorsport is an integral part of Audi’s DNA,” said Audi Chairman of the Board Markus 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 to get in. After all, Formula 1 and Audi are pursuing clear sustainability goals.”
Audi said in its announcement that it will decide later this year on which team it joins, but it is assumed it will work with Sauber.
Motorsport.com reported earlier this week that an agreement had been reached between Audi and Sauber for the latter to take a stake in the team and give it an endorsement at works team level, something Sauber was not he has enjoyed since BMW left F1 at the end of 2009.
Audi ‘s arrival comes after many years of talk of its entry into F1, during which the brand has focused its efforts on sports car racing and, until the end of the 2020-21 season, on racing. Formula E.
This is a huge boost for F1, which has seen its popularity rise in recent years, while also increasing its appeal to other manufacturers, helped by the series’ commitment to using sustainable fuels.
“I am delighted to welcome Audi to Formula 1, an iconic, pioneering and technologically innovative automotive brand,” said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali .
“This is an important moment for our sport, highlighting the enormous strength we have as a global platform that continues to grow. It is also a great recognition and a sign that our move to sustainable fuel hybrid powertrains in 2026 is a solution for the future. of the automotive sector”.
“We are all looking forward to seeing the Audi logo on the grille and we will hear more details about their plans in due course.”
Audi and Porsche were waiting for the plans for the new engines to be approved by the FIA before making their entry into F1 official.
While Porsche has always focused on a deal with Red Bull with a 50% stake in the team, Audi explored options with a number of teams, including McLaren and Williams, before settling on Sauber , which operates under the Alfa Romeo name.
Alfa Romeo has a long-term partnership with Sauber that is reviewed annually, but CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato told Motorsport.com he was “not blind” to Audi’s interest. Alfa Romeo has enjoyed sponsorship rights to the Sauber program since 2018, but the team is powered by Ferrari engines .
Now that Audi’s entry is official, Porsche looks set to follow suit in the coming days announcing its plans with Red Bull, meaning F1’s two worst-kept secrets would finally be a public issue.
