After months of speculation, innuendo, and rumor, German automaker Audi has announced that it will join Formula One in the 2026 season. The Volkswagen-owned company says it will build a new hybrid engine for the competition at its Neuburg facility.
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Audi stated that it signed up due to technical changes made by the sport’s governing body, the FIA, to prevent cost overruns and improve sustainability. Audi hopes to contribute to the sport’s ambitious goal of becoming climate neutral by 2030.
In general, the FIA’s new engine specifications call for a V6 engine that is designed to run on a more sustainable fuel blend. A 400kW electric motor with an output of around 544 horsepower will be paired with it, making it nearly as powerful as the V6 itself.
Adam Baker, who previously served as the FIA’s Safety Director and previously worked for Cosworth (another F1 engine manufacturer) and BMW, will lead Audi’s project.
Audi stated that it will announce which team it will work with “by the end of this year,” but most F1 fans believe the decision has already been made.
Audi is rumored to be buying a majority stake in Swiss motorsports company Sauber, which currently races under the Alfa Romeo livery. According to Planet F1, Sauber has already been the subject of takeover talks this year and could benefit from the support of a major automaker.
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Given that Audi’s first race is still a few years away, it’s unclear how any of this will affect the storylines on Drive To Survive, which I know is what most of you are concerned about. Whatever happens, I’m confident Christian Horner will find a way to be smug about it.
