Audi on Track for First F1 Engine Test Sooner Than You Might Think

May 27, 2023

Engine manufacturer plans to enter Formula 1 in 2026.

Audi says it intends to undertake a test of its Formula 1 engine on its test bench before the end of 2023—at least two years ahead of its entry in the championship.

Audi will enter Formula 1 for the first time in 2026 after being convinced to join the championship under revised power unit regulations, which include a greater electrical power, the axing of the complex MGU-H and a move to fully sustainable fuels.

Audi will form a strategic partnership with Sauber—which is currently in the last year of its branding as Alfa Romeo—that will result in the automotive giant eventually taking a majority stake in the team, having begun its minority shareholding this year.

Formula 1's Chinese Grand Prix was supposed to take place last Sunday but the event was cancelled for a fourth successive year due to the pandemic. Instead, Audi has used its platform at Auto Shanghai—which begins today and runs through April 27—to provide an update on its Formula 1 program. China remains the most important sales market for Audi, which displayed its Formula 1 show car at its presentation.

Since announcing its Formula 1 entry last August Audi has been expanding its campus at Neuberg an der Donau, Germany, where its engine project will be located. Its new facility to fully house its Formula 1 department remains on schedule for completion in early 2024 and additional test rigs will be installed in the second half of 2023 in a new building.

Audi confirmed for the first time on Tuesday that it has already tested a single-cylinder engine for the purposes of validating its test bench set-up and to calibrate measuring instruments.

It outlined that "the first full hybrid drivetrain unit, consisting of the combustion engine, electric motor, battery and electronic control unit," which will form the basis for "the future vehicle concept" is scheduled to run on its test bench before the end of 2023.

The company has previously outlined its desire to run its completed power unit in a mule car at some point in 2025.

Audi has now expanded its headcount to 260 in Neuberg, consisting of "experienced Audi Sport and Audi employees" complemented by "specialists with Formula 1 expertise who have been sourced externally." That figure is expected to exceed 300 by the end of the year once Audi's recruitment process has been completed.

"The Audi Formula 1 project has really taken off in recent months," said Audi technical chief Oliver Hoffmann.

"In the ongoing concept phase of the power unit, the foundation of our drivetrain for 2026 is being laid today. We attach great importance to detail work, for example on materials or manufacturing technologies, and we also focus on topics such as the energy management of the hybrid drivetrain.

"After all, efficiency is a key success factor for Formula 1 and the mobility of the future, these approaches will advance both worlds."

Audi is one of six manufacturers on board for Formula 1's 2026 power unit regulations. The others are Red Bull-Ford, Mercedes, Ferrari, Alpine and Honda, though the Japanese manufacturer remains without a partner.

McLaren Unleashes Techs to Study Red Bull's Floors

1982 F1 Detroit GP Winner Watson Pulls No Punches

Sauber Audi F1 Makes Bold Move in Hiring James Key

F1 Notes: Changes at McLaren; Schumacher Tests

F1 Considers Moving Spanish GP to Madrid Streets

FIA Reprimands Steiner for Calling Out Stewards

Alonso Is Pretty Impressive … For an Old Guy

Verstappen: 'Very Unlikely' Red Bull Goes Unbeaten

Watch an F1 Suspension Break In Slow Motion

Red Bull's Horner: Rude to Look Up People's Skirts

F1 Monaco GP Results: How Verstappen Ruled the Day

F1 Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying: Alonso Starts 2nd