German manufacturer Audi will join the Formula 1 World Championship from the 2026 season as a power unit supplier
Audi announced its entry for 2026 at a press conference at Spa, ahead of last month’s Belgian Grand Prix. The manufacturer said they will announce a decision on which team they will be lining up with, in 2026 by the end of this year. Audi Sport’s facility in Neuburg will be where the power unit is developed, marking the first time in more than a decade that F1 powertrain will be built in Germany.
Audi will join F1 as an engine supplier when the series introduces its new power unit formula in 2026. The regulations were confirmed by the FIA earlier this month. Adam Baker, who joined Audi from the FIA last year, will run the F1 project as CEO. The manufacturer is yet to confirm who it will supply its engines. It is widely rumoured to be in the process of agreeing on terms with Sauber, whose operation is currently branded by Alfa Romeo and uses Ferrari motors.
Audi has previously enjoyed success in the Le Mans 24 Hours, DTM, Formula E and other categories.
Audi have reached an agreement with Sauber to make the Swiss Formula 1 operation their works team from 2026 following their announcement in August that they will join F1 as a power unit supplier. Ahead of this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, Audi have confirmed that Sauber will be their “strategic partner” for their F1 programme. F1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali said: “It is great news to hear that Audi will have a partnership with Sauber for their entry into Formula 1 in 2026. The combination of those two names is a very exciting prospect for our sport.”
Sauber Motorsport CEO and Team Principal Fred Vasseur is delighted to have pulled off this deal. “To become Audi’s official works team is not only an honour and a great responsibility: it’s the best option for the future and we are fully confident we can help Audi achieve the objectives they have set for their journey in Formula 1”, he said. It is indeed an emotional exciting prospect that another major player in the automobile world will be a part of F1 from 2026.
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