It’s now formally official that Audi will enter probably the most intriguing motorsport collection from 2026. Introduced throughout a press convention on the Method 1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, the model’s F1 entry is pushed largely by the championship’s upcoming swap to sustainability with new technical guidelines that can apply from 2026. Method 1’s final objective is to change into carbon-neutral by the top of the last decade, which aligns with Audi’s technique.
“Motorsport is an integral a part of Audi’s DNA,” Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Administration at Audi, commented throughout the press convention. “Method 1 is each a world stage for our model and a extremely difficult improvement laboratory. The mix of excessive efficiency and competitors is all the time a driver of innovation and know-how switch in our business. With the brand new guidelines, now’s the appropriate time for us to become involved. In spite of everything, Method 1 and Audi each pursue clear sustainability targets.”
Audi additionally explains it sees big advertising and marketing potential in Method 1 because the occasions on its calendar are among the many hottest with the very best attain on the planet. In 2021 alone, greater than 1.5 billion TV viewers watched races from the collection and its reputation continues to develop in markets equivalent to China and the US, key areas for Audi. F1’s social media presence can also be rising at a really excessive price.
The official announcement lacks details about Audi’s accomplice in Method 1, although our colleagues from Motorsport.com report the German producer is ready to hyperlink up with Sauber. A deal between the 2 events would give Sauber factory-level backing for the primary time since BMW left F1 on the finish of 2009. Audi says an official announcement on which crew it would work with shall be launched earlier than the 12 months’s finish.
The automaker’s press launch additionally consists of details about Audi’s energy unit for Method 1. It will likely be constructed at Audi Sport’s Competence Middle Motorsport in Neuburg. The ability already has check benches for F1 engine testing with further preparations at present being made to fulfill the necessities for F1 powertrain improvement.
