Audi Poised to Enter Formula 1 in 2026 with Aspiring Plans and new Regulations
Melbourne, Australia – Audi will officially enter Formula 1 in March 2026, marking a significant shift in the motorsport landscape. Despite recent economic challenges, the German automotive giant has committed to a full-scale entry, partnering with Sauber and assembling a team led by former Ferrari principal Mattia Binotto. The debut is set for the Australian Grand Prix on March 8th, 2026, following closed-door testing in Barcelona in January.
This entry represents a new dawn for Audi and for F1 itself, as all teams will be operating under a completely revised regulatory framework.The move is particularly noteworthy given the current economic climate,signaling Audi’s confidence in the future of the sport and its own ability to compete at the highest level. The team’s driver lineup will feature both emerging talent in rookie Gabriel Bortoleto and seasoned veteran nico Hulkenberg, tasked with developing the first single-seater built under the four Rings banner.
Audi has been preparing for this moment since spring 2022,establishing operations at the Hinwil factory and constructing its engine facility in Neuburg an der Donau,Germany. The new Audi Power Unit will be a 1.6-liter V6 turbocharger engine, incorporating a considerably enhanced energy recovery system (ERS). The electric motor’s power will jump from 120 kW to 350 kW – an almost 300% increase – while the V6’s output will be reduced from 550-560 kW to 400 kW.
The 2026 regulations also usher in a new era of aerodynamic innovation, eliminating the DRS and flat-bottom wings in favor of active aerodynamic systems, promising a futuristic evolution in single-seater design.
