audi Leveragesโค le Mans,Formula E,and Dakar Expertise โฃfor 2026 F1 Entry
Hinwil,Switzerland – november 19,2025 โค – Audi anticipates its diverse motorsport portfolio,encompassing successes in the 24 hours of Le Mans,Formula E,and โฃthe Dakar Rally,will provide a significant advantage as it prepares for its 2026 Formula 1โ entry. The German manufacturer, unveiling its R26 concept car, believes the accumulated knowledge and skillset from these disciplines will be crucial in its ambition to challenge for the F1 championship by 2030.
Audi’s forthcoming power unit program isn’t starting from a blank slate.Years of progress in electric powertrain technologyโค through Formula E, coupled with the endurance expertise gained โฃfrom multiple Le Mans โฃvictories and the demanding off-road โฃconditions of the Dakar Rally, offer a unique foundationโข for tackling the complexities of F1’s next-generation regulations. This holistic โฃapproach,โฃ according to audi, represents a “great skillโฆuseful to our Formula 1โ project, โฃand there’s no doubt whatsoever that will bring hopefully an advantage.”
The 2026 regulations introduce a greater emphasis โคon sustainable fuels and hybrid technology, areas where Audi has already investedโฃ heavily. Formula E has provided invaluableโ experience in energy management, battery technology, and electric motor development – all directly transferable to the hybrid power units mandated by the new F1 rules. Moreover, Audi’s Le Mans program honed itsโ capabilities in thermal management, lightweight materials, and aerodynamic efficiency, while theโ Dakar โฃRally has instilled a robust engineering culture focused on reliability andโข durability under extreme conditions.
Audi’s commitment to F1 is part of a broader motorsportโข strategy. The company aims to compete in the โฃpremier racing series while โฃcontinuing โขits involvement in other championships,leveraging โsynergies between its various programs. The R26 concept โฃcar showcased on November 16th, 2025, provides a first glimpse of Audi’s vision for its F1 future, with the manufacturer targeting a championship challenge within the next seven years.