The German firm presented the Audi Formula Racing project in society, which relies on its entry at the beginning of the regulation and on the contained costs to quickly hunt down the big teams. There was no confirmation of the association with Sauber, but of the test deadlines for these three years.
Located near San Sebastián de los Reyes to the north of Madrid, the interiors of the biotechnological incubator Desert City house some places more typical of the Dakar Rally, in which Audi has had important successes throughout its history. However, on this occasion the German brand did not gather more than 100 accredited media there this Monday, including Motor.es, to talk about the adventures of Carlos Sainz in the Arabian Peninsula. On this occasion, it was time to talk about Formula 1 and of the mammoth adventure in which the German automotive giant will enter for the first time from 2026.
With the official name of Audi Formula Racingthe project officially started on August 26, and today it was launched by Jose Miguel Aparicio, director of Audi Spain, who emphasized the brand’s pride in becoming “the only premium manufacturer that has competed in all disciplines” citing its appearances in rallies, endurance events and sprint competitions such as the DTM. From there, he took the turn Adam Baker, the main person in charge of the projectwho spoke to the media next to a model of a current Formula 1 car with temporary livery.
“We are working with a partner and will announce it later this year”
The Australian engineer, who has previously worked in Formula 1 with teams such as BMW, Minardi and Arrows, took up the challenge after three years as head of safety at the FIA. Although he did not release a garment about the rumored association with Sauber, he did assure that «we work with a partner, and we will announce it later this year. (…) We have a very solid long-term plan and we know that having the ideal partner will be essential to think about success». When explaining the main lines of Audi’s action plan for the future, Baker highlighted the relative speed with which the brand has started the project more than three years ahead and competitive expectations.
“We are aware of the enormous challenge we face. We enter at the beginning of a new regulation cycle when other manufacturers have entered during these cycles. Our advantage is that we have a lot of time to prepare, and that the regulations have started a new cycle, the biggest change that Formula 1 is going to experience in recent times. To win here, you have to have it all, not just focus on one field,” Baker said. “We are thinking of the whole. You have to be more innovative than the competition, but with fixed costs. We have an excellent team, since the announcement we are building it quickly. For all these reasons, it is also necessary to innovate in other aspects: financially, strategically, logistically…»
Three years of controlled development, and another three to win
“Our objective is be in a position to win races by the third year», Baker specified, focusing on the 2028 season. «We would love to be competitive from the beginning, but we are realistic. If we compare with other manufacturers, everyone is now trying to find a balance in terms of capitalization, they have to develop new concepts and economic constraints. Before, there could have been certain advantages, but three years seems to us to be a realistic path. Mercedes came in too early, but we’ve all already learned that lesson. We are comfortable with our development landscape and are doing very well.”
Loading tweet…
1581660381675560960
“We have already started with the development of the propulsion system, we will start testing the engine before the end of the year. For the rest, we move forward looking for compromise solutions, because the technical regulations and everything related to the chassis will not be published until 2024. That is when the Spanish circuits will come into play in the final phase of the process, although without specific details. “Our plans go through start the circuit tests in 2025, I imagine that in the middle of the year and probably in Spainwhich is a propitious place”.
All this development has for now carte blanche in terms of economics. It will not last long, since Baker explained that the brand will be subject to a budget cap for motorists which will be the same for all. “It will be of $90 million for 2023, 2024 and 2025, and it is increased to 130 million in 2026. In this regard, it was a strategic decision to make the announcement in 2022 to be able to invest in installations, recruitment… The budget cap was an extremely important issue, because provides certainty for long-term investment. There is money for internal and external costs.”
No client teams, and no pilots on the near horizon
The facilities to which the person in charge of Audi mentions are located in Neuburg, near Ingoldstadt, and some 130 people already work in them, a number that will increase to almost triple in coming years depending on the status of their associations. Without going any further, Baker confirmed that the initial intention of the brand is work with a single team for this first phase of the projectalthough they leave the door open to other opportunities that may arise.
Baker skilfully dodged the rest of the questions involving future drivers or Spanish motorsports, whether they were the hackneyed Madrid street circuit or a possible interest in Carlos Sainz Jr., which he predictably solved: «We would love to have Sainz in the structure , is very good, but until 2026 there is a lot left. We understand the interest in pilots, but it is difficult to know what will happen between now and 2026». He chose similar concepts when asked about Fernando Alonso, albeit without the praise and valuing his experience, or a possible big-team-style driver development programme.
Images of the presentation in Madrid before the press with those responsible for Audi.
The presence of a second great German brand of posh in the championship, in the absence of knowing if Porsche will finally make its entry into Formula 1, contrasts with the increasingly residual presence of Germany in the category, without a Grand Prix, with its champion Sebastian Vettel facing imminent retirement and the future of Mick Schumacher hanging in the balance. When asked by Motor.es, Baker was in favor of a return of F1 to German lands. «We would love to have a career in Germany, as we are the only manufacturer to have its base of operations in Germany. Obviously there’s a long way to go to get to that point, but if there’s anything we can help with, we’ll do it.”
In turn, also in response to Motor.es, Baker positively valued the expansion in the United States and its third event as “fantastic news for all manufacturers” in terms of marketing, a field also influenced by the sport’s claim to sustainability. “F1 is making an effort to move towards efficiency and sustainability, both of which fit with our brand strategy. Formula 1 will be a important test bed to move towards reducing the carbon footprint, and we have a process that will allow us to make that transfer quickly. We want to be part of this transformation.” Only time will tell if that transformation translates into titles for the brand with the four rings.