Audi says it’s aiming to problem for the 2030 F1 world title after unveiling a R26 idea automotive for subsequent 12 months.
At a launch occasion in Munich the German marque offered its new visible id for 2026, together with a silver, pink and black idea livery for what’s dubbed the R26 Idea, a preview of Audi’s first F1 challenger for the brand-new technical laws following its Sauber takeover.
Audi first introduced in 2022 it might be a part of F1 and initially acquired a 25% stake in Sauber, earlier than fully taking up the squad forward of a full 2026 rebrand. It has since offered a minority share to Qatar’s sovereign wealth entrance to assist with the upfront value of revamping the Swiss outfit and beginning up Audi’s in-house F1 energy unit programme in Neuburg.
Audi CEO Gernot Doellner says the German producer is concentrating on a world championship bid from 2030 onwards, whereas additionally “having ambitions” for its first years within the sequence.
“The subsequent two years we will probably be challengers,” stated Doellner, who was joined on the occasion by the staff’s CTO and COO Mattia Binotto, staff principal Jonathan Wheatley and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Audi F1 Crew RS26 idea livery
Photograph by: Audi Sport
“We have now to enhance from the place we’re at the moment and have ambitions additionally for 2026 and 2027. These years are the challenger years. And from 2028 on, we wish to turn into actual rivals after which from 2030 on struggle for the championship.
Former Ferrari F1 staff principal and energy unit specialist Binotto says Audi’s resolution to develop each its automotive and energy unit in-house will give the staff a “aggressive benefit” over F1’s clients groups.
“So as to turn into profitable and a successful staff sooner or later, sure, it might add complexity, but it surely’s a requirement,” Binotto stated. “Having the total management on each the chassis and the facility unit provides you a aggressive benefit, a technical benefit.
“And since for Audi it isn’t solely about collaborating, however about successful, it was a given, I’d say. So we settle for the complexity as a result of we’ve got a transparent ambition.”
Crew boss Wheatley feels that the present Sauber staff, which suffered a dismal 2024 marketing campaign, already has a spring in its step after main enhancements introduced it again into F1’s tight midfield this 12 months.
Audi F1 Crew RS26 idea livery
Photograph by: Audi Sport
“I used to be vastly inspired by what I discovered, which was a a lot youthful staff than I anticipated with a extra open thoughts than I anticipated that already had began the journey in the direction of turning into a aggressive F1 staff somewhat than an achievement being to get two automobiles to a race each Sunday,” the previous Purple Bull sporting director stated.
“We’re in a change course of now. Audi’s funding and perception within the staff is extraordinary, and the staff feels it. Each single day we will really feel the progress we’re making and the staff’s beginning to consider in itself now, and that is so vital when it comes to constructing momentum and shifting ahead.
“If you’d like a manifestation of that, the staff virtually carried out the unimaginable in Brazil final weekend in constructing a model new automotive for Gabriel [Bortoleto, who crashed in the sprint race] in an extremely quick time period.
“This staff wouldn’t have been ready to try this a 12 months in the past and that does not come from instruments or funding, that comes from spirit that comes from staff believing in itself.”
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