The German automaker Audi will compete in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with a specially developed power unit from 2026. The project will be based at Audi Sport’s facility in Neuburg near Ingolstadt.
Audi affirmed that from 2026, the electric power output for the power units, consisting of an electric motor, battery, control electronics, and a combustion engine, will increase sharply compared to today’s Formula 1 drive systems.
The key to getting involved in the world’s most popular racing series is a clear plan to become more sustainable and cost-efficient. The new technical rules, which will apply from 2026, focus on greater electrification and advanced sustainable fuel. In addition to the existing cap on costs for teams, a cost cap for power unit manufacturers will be introduced in 2023. In addition, Formula 1 has set itself the ambitious goal of being a carbon-neutral racing series by 2030.
Powertrain
Audi says the electric motor will be nearly as powerful as the combustion engine, which has an output of about 400 kW (544 hp). In addition, the highly efficient 1.6-litre turbo engines run on advanced sustainable fuel – also a prerequisite for Audi’s entry into the series.
Interestingly this will be the first time in more than a decade that a Formula 1 powertrain will be built in Germany. The power unit will be built at Audi Sport’s state-of-the-art Competence Center Motorsport in Neuburg an der Donau.
Julius Seebach, Managing Director, Audi Sport, says, “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 centre, and also recruit highly specialised professionals.”
Notably, Seebach has organised the entry into Formula 1 as part of Audi’s realignment of motorsport.
Restructuring
Seebach will also join Audi AG on September 1, 2022, and will take on a new strategic business area in Technical Development, reporting directly to the Executive Board. A separate company was recently founded for the power unit project as a wholly owned subsidiary of Audi Sport, and Adam Baker will take over the management of the company and thus the Formula 1 project as CEO.
Meanwhile, starting September 1, Seebach will be succeeded by Rolf Michl, who has been Chief Operating Officer of Racing at Audi Sport since February. Together with Dr Sebastian Grams, he will form the Management Board of Audi Sport GmbH.
Michl has a degree in business administration and is a long-standing member of the Audi Sport family. After holding various positions in marketing at Audi AG and Audi Sport, he took over as Head of Product Marketing RS Models in 2016.
After moving to Abt Sportsline as Director of Vehicle Customisation, Michl returned to Audi Sport GmbH as Head of Sales/Marketing in 2019.
Notably, Michl has played a key role in shaping the company’s portfolio and sales successes over time. In addition to his positions in marketing, Michl was responsible for devising and implementing the Audi Sport TT Cup in 2014.