Audi Formulation 1 chiefs say the model’s expertise in varied classes will assist it grasp F1’s new energy models from 2026.
Audi is taking up the Switzerland-based Sauber group as F1 strikes into a brand new period; 2026-spec energy models will characteristic 350kW (469hp) electrical energy, up from 120kW presently, for a near-50:50 break up with the inner combustion engine. Vehicles may also get better twice as a lot power from braking.
Audi has expertise in Formulation E, the place the producer made its personal powertrains from 2015 to 2021, although it withdrew from the championship earlier than it moved up from the 250kW (335hp) Gen2 automotive – the present Gen3 Evo is as much as 400kW and the upcoming Gen4 will attain 600kW (805hp).
Nonetheless, power administration was key in Formulation E, and this expertise is anticipated to show helpful to Audi – however not essentially as a lot as its experience in different disciplines.
Lucas Di Grassi, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, Audi e-tron FE07
Picture by: Andreas Beil
“Perhaps Le Mans, much more than Formulation E, as a result of administration between the combustion engine and the electrical system is extra similar to the brand new regulation,” stated Gernot Doellner, chairman of the boards of Audi and Sauber Motorsport.
“However in relation to elements, additionally Formulation E, I might say it is fairly an excellent studying subject. We needed to see the way to enhance efficiencies there, and to do the power administration.”
Audi raced within the World Endurance Championship till 2016, profitable the Le Mans 24 Hours consecutively from 2012-2014 with its hybrid-powered Audi R18 e-tron quattro. The automotive featured as much as 200kW’s price of electrical energy (268hp).
#2 Audi Sport Workforce Joest Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro: Marcel Fässler, Andre Lotterer, Benoit Tréluyer
Picture by: Eric Gilbert
Extra just lately, Audi gained the 2024 Dakar Rally with its RS Q e-tron, whose power was largely electrical with 286kW (384hp).
“If there’s something on which I have been positively impressed by becoming a member of Audi, [it’s] actually the experience and the abilities, competence on the hybrid, as a result of it has been developed via Dakar and Formulation E,” stated Mattia Binotto, who has been main the Sauber F1 group – and the Audi F1 challenge – since August 2024.
“It is actually an awesome talent, which is beneficial to our Formulation 1 challenge, and little doubt that can deliver hopefully a bonus.”
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