P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Audi has set a target to be successful in F1, but it is one which has tripped up many teams in the past.
Audi chief Mattia Binotto strongly defends the team’s ambition to compete for the F1 championship in 2030, as they enter the sport in 2026 by acquiring Sauber’s team and base. The team has openly targeted the 2030 season for championship contention, but historically such claims have been challenging. For instance, Renault’s target to fight for titles after 100 races by the 2021 season opener wasn’t met, leading to rebranding as Alpine with revised plans. Despite this, Pierre Gasly sees potential with the new 2026 regulations, possibly making him a championship contender with Alpine using Mercedes power units. Binotto emphasizes the importance of setting interim goals to establish Audi as a formidable competitor before aiming for the championship in 2030, focusing on attitude, perception, and continuous improvement to be seen as a strong contender.
