The announcement was made Friday in a press conference at Spa-Francorchamps, on the sidelines of the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix.
German manufacturer Audi will make its Formula 1 debut in 2026 as an engine manufacturer, CEO Markus Duesmann has announced.
Audi will develop its hybrid engine in Neubourg-sur-le-Danube, in Bavaria, and will forge a partnership with an F1 team.
This partnership which must be announced by the end of the year could be concluded according to the specialized press with Sauber, which currently races under the name Alfa Romeo and is powered by Ferrari.
New rules, new lap.
Audi joins Formula 1 in 2026. The combination of high performance and competition is always a driver of innovation and technology transfer in our industry >> https://t.co/yXdZePn35o#Audi #F1 #Formula1 #team #news #automotive @ F1 pic.twitter.com/37uOKY6wR1
— Audi (@AudiOfficial) August 26, 2022
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While waiting for Porsche, also awaited by the world of F1, here is another brand from the Volkswagen group.
Audi joins Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull (with Honda technology) as engine manufacturers in the world's motorsport elite.
This announcement comes ten days after the approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council of regulations on new Formula 1 engines for 2026. The engines, already hybrid since 2014, will see from this date a increased deployment of electric power and will also use 100% sustainable fuels.
" Sustainable development "
"With the new rules, it's the right time for us to get involved," said Audi CEO Markus Duesmann, present in Belgium alongside Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, promoter of the world championship, and by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
"Formula 1 and Audi are both pursuing clear sustainability goals," he said.
Audi, which is also ending its endurance program (Lmdh category), should be followed in F1 by Porsche.
The Stuttgart brand could sign its return to the premier category of motorsport in partnership with Red Bull as part of a 50% takeover of the Austrian team, current leader in the constructors' world championship.
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