P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Audi is continuing to build up its F1 team as it prepares for its first season on the grid this year.
Audi has announced the signing of Ralph Boschung, who has joined the F1 team as a development driver, as the German manufacturer prepares for its first full season in F1 this year with its own works team.
The team commenced its pre-season preparations last month in Barcelona before heading to Bahrain for the second winter test, with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto forming its full-time driver line-up.
Ralph Boschung will work alongside the drivers in developing the R26 car at Audi’s factory as the team enters a new era, with the Swiss driver having experience in Formula 2 and achieving success in junior formulae.
The team expressed pride in welcoming Boschung as their development driver, marking a step forward in building the future of Audi’s F1 endeavors.
Aside from Boschung, Freddie Slater also joins the team as part of the newly formed Audi junior programme, adding more depth to the lineup and boosting the team’s development potential.
