Audi to Join F1 in 2026, But It Is Unknown With Who

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image: Audi
 This announcement from Audi is the first acknowledgment from the team on its intentions to join Formula 1. Sauber appears to be the front runner for Audi to look at.

Audi is joining F1 in the 2026 season, after more than a year of rumors the team announced its plans but has not said which team they will partner with. Audi contributes the continued rise in popularity of the sport and its focus on being environmentally conscious as reasons to join F1. Audi also helped shape the future powertrain regulations with Porsche, who is also joining F1 in partnership with Red Bull in 2026.

Audi Sport's facility in Neuberg, Germany will serve as the team's home base for the power unit development. Hiring and investments into the team are under way, this according to a press release from the company: 

 The power unit will be built at Audi Sport’s state-of-the-art Competence Center Motorsport in Neuburg an der Donau, not far from AUDI AG’s company headquarters in Ingolstadt. “For the development and manufacture of the Formula 1 power train, we will build on the valuable expertise of our motorsport employees, continue to invest in our motorsports center, and also recruit highly specialized professionals,” says Audi Sport Managing Director Julius Seebach, who organized the entry into Formula 1 as part of Audi’s realignment of motorsport.

In Neuberg there are already test benches for F1 engine testing as well as for electric motor and battery testing. Additional necessary preparations are currently being made in terms of peronnel, buildings, and technical infrastructure, with everything essential to be in place by the end of the year. A separate company was recently founded for the power unit project as w wholly owned subsidiary of Audi Sport. Adam baker will take over the management of the company and this the Formula 1 project as CEO. The trained engineer has held various senior positions for manufacturers and teams in motorsport. Before joining Audi in 2021, he worked for the FIA for three years.

Audi does not plan to give an update on who they will be partnering with until the end of the season. This is a bit surprising seeing that it is well-known that Audi and Sauber have been having discussions. Alfa-Romeo also announced today that they plan on severing ties with Sauber after the 2023 season, leaving everyone's minds to believe an Audi and Sauber partnership is on the horizon.

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