Formula 1 | Audi MediaCenter

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By entering the highest class of motorsports in 2026, Audi is tackling its most challenging ambition to date: combining sustainability, innovation, and maximum performance in motorsports.

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Audi F1 Project strengthened by investment from QIA - Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG; Mohammed Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QIA

Motorsport

11/29/2024

Audi F1 Project strengthened by investment from QIA

Audi and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) team up to accelerate the preparation for the Formula 1 entry of the four rings in 2026. QIA, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, has signed definitive agreements to acquire a significant minority stake in Sauber Holding AG, the future factory team of Audi.

Gabriel Bortoleto - Gabriel Bortoleto, future Audi F1 driver

Motorsport

11/06/2024

Gabriel Bortoleto will be future Audi F1 driver

The driver pairing for Audi’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026 has been set. One of the most promising talents for the future will represent the four rings in the pinnacle of motorsport: Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (20) will drive alongside German Nico Hülkenberg (37) for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber next year, which will transform into the Audi F1 factory team in 2026. The experienced Hülkenberg, who was confirmed in April, and the promising F1 rookie Bortoleto form a well-matched driver pairing for Audi’s Formula 1 project.

Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery - Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery

Motorsport

08/01/2024

Jonathan Wheatley will be Team Principal of the future Audi F1 factory team

Only a few days after the realignment of the management team for the future Audi F1 factory team with the appointment of Mattia Binotto, the next step has now been taken. With Jonathan Wheatley, Audi has acquired the services of a further top-ranking expert for its ambitious F1 project. “I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal for our future Formula 1 team,” says Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG. “Jonathan has played a major part in many Formula 1 race victories and World Championship titles in his Formula 1 career so far, and has extensive experience in the paddock. He is a very valuable addition to our team.“

Mattia Binotto takes over a leadership position for Audi in Formula 1 - Mattia Binotto will be Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber Motorsport AG.

Motorsport

07/23/2024

Mattia Binotto takes over a leadership position for Audi in Formula 1

Preparations for entering the highest class of motorsports are going full speed ahead at Audi. As part of the complete takeover of all shares in Sauber Holding AG and the associated realignment of the control structure, the management of the future Audi factory team is now being renewed. On August 1, the former F1 team head Mattia Binotto is joining the Audi F1 project and will take on its leadership in Hinwil.

Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery - Audi and bp team up with strategic partnership for Formula 1

Motorsport

07/15/2024

Audi and bp team up with strategic partnership for Formula 1

Audi and bp are joining forces in an extensive new strategic partnership in Formula 1. As Audi prepares to enter the pinnacle of motor racing in 2026, which also marks the introduction of groundbreaking new FIA F1 Technical Regulations featuring enhanced electrification and use of Advanced Sustainable fuel, Audi and bp bring together their technical expertise and drive for innovation to help shape the future of motorsport.

Development of the Audi Power Unit - Stefan Dreyer (left) and Adam Baker (right) in one of the workshops for the combustion engine

Motorsport

06/28/2024

Development of the Audi Power Unit for Formula 1: “Significant milestones and goals achieved”

Work on the Power Unit for Audi’s Formula 1 entry has been underway for more than two years. The specially created Audi Formula Racing GmbH (AFR) in Neuburg a. d. Donau is responsible for the development of the F1 hybrid drive (“Power Unit”) and has successfully completed the set-up phase. Together with the Hinwil facility, the team from Neuburg will form the future factory team with which Audi will compete in the top class in 2026. The Audi F1 Power Unit “Made in Germany” is making great progress behind closed doors. AFR CEO Adam Baker and AFR CTO Stefan Dreyer provide an insight into the current status.

Nico Hülkenberg - Nico Hülkenberg becomes a driver for the Audi F1 factory team

Motorsport

04/26/2024

Next milestone in the F1 project: Nico Hülkenberg becomes a driver for the Audi factory team

The course for Audi’s Formula 1 project continues to be set. Following the announcement of the complete takeover of the Sauber Group to accelerate preparations for the brand’s entry into F1, the first driver has now been confirmed: Nico Hülkenberg has signed a multi-year contract with Sauber and will start for the Audi factory team in 2026. He will be driving for Sauber as early as 2025 and accompany the transformation to the factory team, as the Swiss company announced today.

Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery - Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery

Motorsport

03/08/2024

Audi accelerates preparations for successful entry into Formula 1 and significantly expands its commitment

Led by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, the brand with the four rings has made clear what the company is focusing on in the future with the Audi Agenda. Product and technology as well as the stronger positioning of the Audi brand on the global stage are in focus. Against this backdrop, the Members of the Supervisory Boards of AUDI AG and Volkswagen AG have now decided to strengthen the commitment to Formula 1 and accelerate the preparations for the start of the 2026 season. Audi plans to take a 100 percent stake in the Sauber Group. Oliver Hoffmann is set to be the person responsible for the Audi Formula 1 program overall as a General Representative. As CEO of the Audi F1 Team, Andreas Seidl will be responsible for the implementation of the F1 project as well as the management of the Audi F1 Team.

Neel Jani - Neel Jani

Motorsport

06/22/2023

Simulator driver for development of Audi’s Formula 1 power unit signed

Audi is taking the next step in the development of the power unit for the Formula 1 project by signing a simulator driver. Swiss racing pro Neel Jani (39) is going to support the development of the Audi power unit with his versatile experience from various motorsport programs. An update of the dynamic driving simulator for the work on the Formula 1 hybrid powertrain is being run at the Neuburg site in parallel. In 2026, the brand with the four rings is going to enter the top category of motorsport.

Audi at Auto Shanghai 2023 - Audi at Auto Shanghai 2023

Motorsport

04/18/2023

Audi presents Formula 1 project in China

Audi is presenting its Formula 1 project in China for the first time from April 18 to 27: The F1 show car with the striking Audi Launch Livery is a central element of the brand’s presence at Auto Shanghai. Audi CEO Markus Duesmann has provided insight into the current progress of the project during the press conference.

Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery - Showcar mit Audi F1 launch livery in the simulation EA SPORTS F1® 22

Motorsport

12/07/2022

Audi already part of virtual Formula 1

Formula 1 fans will have to wait a little longer before Audi competes in the top class of motorsport for the first time in early 2026. The virtual world is shortening the wait: The brand with the four rings is already part of the official EA SPORTS F1® 22 racing game from Codemasters.

Competence Center Motorsport - Competence Center Motorsport – new building F7.2 for the Formula 1 project

Motorsport

12/02/2022

Audi expands Competence Center Motorsport for its Formula 1 project

The Competence Center Motorsport at the Audi Neuburg facility is being expanded for the Formula 1 project. In a new building measuring around 3,000 square meters, new test benches for the development of the power unit will be installed in particular. The construction work on the extension began this week. Audi will compete in the top class of motorsport from 2026 with the power unit manufactured in Neuburg.

Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery - Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery

Motorsport

10/26/2022

Audi selects Sauber as strategic partner for Formula 1 entry

The next important milestone on the road to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship has been completed: Audi has selected Sauber as a strategic partner for the project and plans to acquire a stake in the Sauber Group. The partnership will see the traditional Swiss racing team competing as the Audi factory team from 2026 onwards using the power unit developed by Audi for the pinnacle of motorsport.

Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery - Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery

Motorsport

08/26/2022

Audi Enters Formula 1

Audi enters the premier class of motorsport. From 2026, the premium brand will compete in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with a specially developed power unit. The project will be based at Audi Sport’s facility in Neuburg near Ingolstadt. This is the first time in more than a decade that a Formula 1 power train will be built in Germany.

Biographies

Mattia Binotto takes over a leadership position for Audi in Formula 1 - Mattia Binotto will be Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber Motorsport AG.

Mattia Binotto

COO and CTO, Sauber Motorsport AG

Adam Baker - CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH

Adam Baker

CEO of the Audi Formula Racing GmbH

Neel Jani - Neel Jani

Neel Jani

Simulator driver for the Audi F1 Project power unit development

Photos and videos

Audi F1 Project - From the left: Mattia Binotto, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of Sauber Motorsport AG; Stefan Dreyer, CTO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH; Adam Baker CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH; Gernot Döllner, CEO of...

Audi F1 Project - From the left: Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG; Jürgen Rittersberger, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, responsible for Finance, Legal Affairs and IT, Member of...

Audi F1 Project - Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG

Audi F1 Project - Jürgen Rittersberger, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, responsible for Finance, Legal Affairs and IT, Member of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG and Chairman of the Shareholders' Meeting of Audi Formula Racing...

Audi F1 Project strengthened by investment from QIA - Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG; Mohammed Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QIA

Audi F1 Project strengthened by investment from QIA - Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG; Mohammed Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QIA

Audi F1 Project strengthened by investment from QIA - Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG; Mohammed Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QIA

Gabriel Bortoleto - Gabriel Bortoleto, future Audi F1 driver

As of: 07/23/2024