After dazzling successes in rally, DTM, Le Mans, Formula E, and the Dakar Rally, car manufacturer Audi is setting its sights on its biggest motorsport project ever: Formula 1, starting in 2026. “They’re always looking for a challenge: technically and sportily.”
Munich, Wednesday evening, November 12. All the drivers (male and female) who have helped Audi achieve eternal glory and countless trophies in various motorsport series over the decades are present. They arrive in the iconic cars that brought them fame, stepping onto the red carpet at the event where Audi will unveil the livery of its very first Formula 1 car, the RS26, to a select group of journalists, influencers, and partners.
The presentation is slick—leave that to the Germans. They don’t do things halfway. Perfection is what Audi is aiming for as it joins the most exclusive, prestigious, and expensive motorsport series on the planet next year. “A very bold step,” concludes Allan McNish, Audi’s sports consultant, former F1 driver for Toyota, and three-time winner (with Audi) of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“It would have been easier not to do it,” McNish continues, “and just be satisfied with successes in other championships.” Forget it. “I’ve been working with Audi in various capacities for nearly 25 years. And I know one thing: they’re always looking for a challenge, both technically and sportily. It’s in the culture and DNA of the company and the people who work there. Formula 1 is undoubtedly the biggest challenge ever. But I don’t think anyone underestimates how difficult it is and how fierce the competition is. So yes, it’s a very courageous step.”
Challenging Project
McNish knows what he’s talking about. The Scot was a key player in Toyota’s Formula 1 program in the early 2000s and experienced firsthand what such a massive and challenging project entails. Of course, McNish points out, there are parallels with Audi nearly a quarter of a century later, as both are major car manufacturers. “But I think Formula 1 now, compared to 2002, is totally different. For starters, there are no bad teams anymore. Just look at the difference between pole position and twentieth place on the grid: it’s one second. You’re fighting for hundredths of a second, not tenths. In the 80s, it was still three to four seconds. The competition,” McNish believes, “is now extremely fierce.”
Complexiteit en Concurrentie in de Autosport
Een belangrijke factor in de huidige autosport is de technische complexiteit van de voertuigen. “Het kost tijd om deze te begrijpen en te beheersen,” zegt de Schotse expert. “Daarnaast heb je nu een budgetplafond. Bij Toyota destijds was het budget vrijwel onbeperkt. Er wás wel een budget, maar je kon het overal aan uitgeven – en dat kan nu niet meer. Je moet heel efficiënt en gefocust werken.”
De Strijd op de Circuit
De competitie op de baan is onveranderd, maar volgens McNish is deze nu nóg harder. Hij vergelijkt de huidige situatie met het begin van deze eeuw, toen de verschillen tussen teams veel groter waren. “Nu heb je eigenlijk alleen haves. Iedereen hééft, in meer of mindere mate, iets: een budget, capaciteiten en faciliteiten. In 2002 had je haves en have nots. Maar die have nots hebben zich ontwikkeld of zijn opgegaan in andere teams. Daardoor is het niveau nu ongelooflijk hoog. Dat geldt trouwens ook voor de coureurs,” stelt de Schot. “Het niveau van de rijders is beter dan ik ooit heb gezien.”
Ontwikkelingswerk en Toekomstige Ambities
Met Nico Hülkenberg en Gabriel Bortoleto aan boord heeft Audi twee piloten die het beste van twee werelden vertegenwoordigen. De Duitser is zeer ervaren en goed in ontwikkelingswerk, terwijl de Braziliaan wordt beschouwd als een van de grootste talenten van zijn generatie. Met Mattia Binotto (ex-Ferrari) als technisch directeur en Jonathan Wheatley (ex-Red Bull) als teambaas, begint het Duitse team aan een groot avontuur. De ambitie? Strijden om de wereldtitel in 2030.
Wheatley, die het afgelopen jaar zijn eerste jaar bij het team heeft doorgebracht, heeft al ontdekt dat de mogelijkheden onbegrensd lijken. “We geloven in elkaar, in het proces en de bestemming,” vertelt de Brit. “Dat heeft dit jaar al geleid tot meer punten, snellere pitstops en zelfs een podiumplaats met Nico in Silverstone. Maar het belangrijkste is dat er momentum is gecreëerd, dat als brandstof voor onszelf fungeert. Je bespeurt de passie en honger; we zien elke ronde als een kans om te leren, als een kans vooruit te komen.”
Transformation: Audi’s Bold Move into Formula 1
“Our project,” insists the team boss, “is more than just building a team. It’s about shaping the future of our presence in Formula 1. With talent, visionary partners, and the transformation of the Audi brand: together we have a plan to redefine a racing team. When the five lights go out in Melbourne, the four rings of Audi will race for the first time in Formula 1.”
Mark your calendars for mid-March! It’s a moment not just team leader Wheatley is eagerly anticipating. For McNish, it’s a reunion with the world’s most popular racing series—this time not in Japanese colors, but German pride. Audi is just as driven, just as hungry to make its mark in F1. “You can see from this presentation, from the involvement of the chief designer at Audi AG, that this isn’t just a motorsport project; it’s a corporate initiative. I’ve known Audi for 25 years: they don’t do things halfway. When they commit, they do it right. They’re always looking for a challenge—technically and competitively. Sure, you can never guarantee success. But you can guarantee that you give yourself the best chance. That starts with the right mindset, hard work, focus, a clear strategy, and executing it. That’s where we are now,” McNish states. “This presentation in Munich is actually a proud milestone. It may not be the first race yet, but it’s a memorable point on a long journey.”
But is Audi’s ambitious goal of competing for the world title within five years realistic? Just look at Renault, which, despite bold claims under the Alpine banner, has struggled to reach the top since its return to Formula 1. “No one says it’s easy,” McNish laughs. “We know how tough this challenge is. But you need a goal, focus, and ambition. Otherwise, don’t even start. As we say at Audi: do it right, or don’t do it at all. And just look at all the people here tonight,” he gestures to the packed room. “That’s a mix of different departments from the parent company, the factories in Neuburg and Hinwil. At Audi, we’re all racers: the energy and emotion of the Formula 1 project flows through all departments. You can feel it; it lifts the entire company.”
