Audi says it's aiming to problem for the 2030 F1 world title after unveiling a R26 idea automobile for subsequent 12 months.
At a launch occasion in Munich the German marque offered its new visible identification for 2026, together with a silver, purple and black idea livery for what's dubbed the R26 Idea, a preview of Audi's first F1 challenger for the brand-new technical rules following its Sauber takeover.
Audi first introduced in 2022 it could be part of F1 and initially acquired a 25% stake in Sauber, earlier than fully taking on the squad forward of a full 2026 rebrand. It has since bought a minority share to Qatar's sovereign wealth entrance to assist with the upfront value of revamping the Swiss outfit and beginning up Audi's in-house F1 energy unit programme in Neuburg.
Audi CEO Gernot Doellner says the German producer is focusing on a world championship bid from 2030 onwards, whereas additionally “having ambitions” for its first years within the sequence.
“The following two years we will likely be challengers,” stated Doellner, who was joined on the occasion by the crew's CTO and COO Mattia Binotto, crew principal Jonathan Wheatley and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Audi F1 Staff RS26 idea livery
Photograph by: Audi Sport
“We've to enhance from the place we're at present and have ambitions additionally for 2026 and 2027. These years are the challenger years. And from 2028 on, we wish to turn into actual rivals after which from 2030 on struggle for the championship.
Former Ferrari F1 crew principal and energy unit specialist Binotto says Audi's determination to develop each its automobile and energy unit in-house will give the crew a “aggressive benefit” over F1's prospects groups.
“To be able to turn into profitable and a profitable crew sooner or later, sure, it could add complexity, nevertheless it's a requirement,” Binotto stated. “Having the complete management on each the chassis and the ability unit provides you a aggressive benefit, a technical benefit.
“And since for Audi it isn't solely about collaborating, however about profitable, it was a given, I might say. So we settle for the complexity as a result of now we have a transparent ambition.”
Staff boss Wheatley feels that the present Sauber crew, which suffered a dismal 2024 marketing campaign, already has a spring in its step after main enhancements introduced it again into F1's tight midfield this 12 months.
Audi F1 Staff RS26 idea livery
Photograph by: Audi Sport
“I used to be vastly inspired by what I discovered, which was a a lot youthful crew than I anticipated with a extra open thoughts than I anticipated that already had began the journey in direction of changing into a aggressive F1 crew somewhat than an achievement being to get two vehicles to a race each Sunday,” the previous Purple Bull sporting director stated.
“We're in a metamorphosis course of now. Audi's funding and perception within the crew is extraordinary, and the crew feels it. Each single day we are able to really feel the progress we're making and the crew's beginning to imagine in itself now, and that is so essential when it comes to constructing momentum and transferring ahead.
“If you need a manifestation of that, the crew nearly carried out the unimaginable in Brazil final weekend in constructing a model new automobile for Gabriel [Bortoleto, who crashed in the sprint race] in an extremely quick time frame.
“This crew wouldn't have been in a position to try this a 12 months in the past and that does not come from instruments or funding, that comes from spirit that comes from crew believing in itself.”
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