The next 12 months will be crucial for the Sauber team as they prepare to become Audi’s factory team in Formula 1, despite warnings from F1 lead Mattia Binotto that their engine may not be the best on the grid. Formula 1 will introduce new regulations in 2026 to make cars more nimble and sustainable by increasing the use of electrical energy in races.
In addition to Audi, new engine manufacturers like Ford and Cadillac are set to join Formula 1 in the coming years, further adding to the competition in the sport. Binotto, head of Audi’s F1 project, anticipates challenges in adapting to the advanced engine regulations but expresses confidence in the direction they are taking.
The new rules will require a 50-50 split in power between the internal combustion unit and electrical components, with a focus on sustainable fuels as well. Audi’s parent company, the Volkswagen Group, has a history with e-fuels, potentially giving them an advantage in the upcoming changes.
However, there are speculations that Mercedes could once again dominate the field with the new power units, similar to their success when the V6 hybrid power units were introduced in 2014. Binotto acknowledges that these changes could lead to a new era of dominance by a single team in Formula 1.
