Audi Announces Plan to Enter F1 In 2026, Shows Off Race Car

With Audi creating a considerably a lot quicker changeover to option fuels and electrification, it seemed more most likely that Porsche would be the Volkswagen Team brand name to soar into F1, not the other way around. But, in new months the whispers about the paddock talked about Audi much more and much more.

Ultimately, throughout a “specific” press convention held just just before the Belgian Grand Prix weekend kicks off, Audi made it official, stating it has place in motion designs to sign up for Formulation 1 in 2026. The press conference provided FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, Audi AG CEO Markus Duesmann, and Audi Chief Complex Officer Oliver Hoffmann.

Why would Audi join Formulation 1? “Motorsport is an integral section of Audi’s DNA,” suggests Markus Duesmann. “Formula 1 is both a international phase for our brand name and a remarkably hard enhancement laboratory. The blend of superior functionality and competitors is generally a driver of innovation and technology transfer in our field. With the new guidelines, now is the proper time for us to get involved. Soon after all, System 1 and Audi both equally pursue clear sustainability ambitions.”

When Duesmann refers to the “new policies,” he is exclusively speaking about the new motor restrictions that will start with the 2026 period, which traces up with when Audi plans to be a part of the sport. Even though it is true that in 2026 System 1 will continue to use interior combustion engines, the new restrictions will consequence in electricity models that have a “internet zero” carbon footprint.

F1 programs to attain this by necessitating engines run on biofuels instead than traditional deceased dino juice. Also, a new electrical motor that is a few instances additional potent will exchange the present-day device. The final result is 1,000 horsepower of eco-friendly strength vs . the 850-ish horsepower the automobiles now make with their twin-turbo V-6.

This is pure speculation, but if Audi really ideas to use F1 as a “laboratory,” then anticipate it to lean into that racing link to produce its roadgoing electrified merchandise. It could possibly even mean in addition to its slate of all-electric powered cars like the 2023 Q4 e-Tron and e-Tron GT, Audi could be exploring shopper biofuel hybrids as perfectly. Technically speaking, a biofuel combustion engine could possibly even skirt earlier restrictions like California’s new law that would ban fossil fueled cars and trucks by 2030.