Audi to join F1 in 2026

Audi has announced that it will be joining the FIA Formula 1 World Championship starting 2026.

The Ingolstadt-headquartered automaker made the announcement at a press conference at the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps in the company of Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stefano Domenicali and Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Audi AG Chairman of the Board of Management Markus Duesmann considers motorsport as “an integral part” of the premium automotive manufacturer’s DNA.

“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.”

“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,” Audi Member of the Board for Technical Development Oliver Hoffmann, for his part, said.

In a statement, Audi said that it will compete in the world-renowned racing series using a specially developed power unit. The project (which will be based at Audi Sport’s facility in Neuburg near Ingolstadt) is monumental since it would be the first time in more than a decade that a Formula 1 engine will be built in Germany.

“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 center, and also recruit highly specialized professionals,” Audi Sport Managing Director Julius Seebach, who organized the the marque’s entry into Formula 1, was quoted as saying.

Audi cited that new technical rules that “focus on greater electrification and advanced sustainable fuel” will be applied in Formula 1 racing starting 2026. Apart from that, a cost cap for power unit manufacturers will be introduced in 2023 in addition to the current limit on teams’ costs.

Since it would be pooling its strengths for the Formula 1 project, the brand announced that Audi Sport is discontinuing the LMDh project.  However, it 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.

“Whether the World Rally Championship, World Sportscar Championship, US motorsport, DTM, Le Mans, or Formula E – Audi Sport has set standards in many categories with numerous titles. “Formula 1 is the next major milestone in Audi’s motorsport history,” Seebach said.

Photos from Audi

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