Audi is getting closer to its debut in Formula 1, but the German team doesn’t seem particularly confident in its own engine.
The road to F1 hasn’t been smooth for Audi. The team set to take over Sauber in seven months has faced several challenges—most notably with the power unit, which is being developed in-house by the German manufacturer.
Audi F1 Engine: Binotto’s Words
Mattia Binotto, CEO of the team, doesn’t beat around the bush: Audi will indeed enter Formula 1 in 2026, but not with the best power unit. That’s according to the man himself—former Ferrari team principal and now head of Audi’s F1 project. A clear admission, one that hints at delays and technical struggles within the Hinwil-based squad ahead of next season.
The 2026 season will mark a true technical revolution: the new generation of F1 engines will feature a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electric power, alongside the mandatory use of 100% sustainable fuels. It’s an unprecedented balance, forcing everyone—Audi most of all—to completely change their mindset and engineering philosophy. As Binotto puts it:
“We’re doing something extremely advanced that has never been done before. We’ll need to change the company’s engine culture—and it won’t be easy.”
Indeed, 2026 doesn’t look like it will be Audi’s year of glory. But Binotto doesn’t seem worried: the priority, according to the Lausanne-born engineer, isn’t to win immediately but to build strong foundations without falling for illusions.
“We know 2026 won’t be the year we’re at the top, but the path we’ve taken is the right one.”
2014-Style Domination Ahead? Audi Might Have a Solution…
Binotto also raises a warning flag: the risk of another dominant era, like Mercedes in 2014 or Red Bull in 2023—when the hybrid era and then the ground-effect regulations gave birth to a one-team show—is real, and the new rules might not be enough to maintain competitive balance. But Audi may have a trump card.
The Volkswagen Group has already invested heavily in e-fuels through Porsche, and with fuel technology expected to play a crucial role for the first time, the Four Rings may have what it takes to win races—and even championships—sooner than expected.
