P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Audi is set to join the F1 grid for the first time in the 2026 season.
Audi F1 project head Mattia Binotto stated that the team won’t have the best power unit upon their debut in 2026.
Audi’s decision to enter F1 was made public during the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix, with the purchase of the Sauber facility serving as their initial step.
The power unit regulations were altered to give more emphasis on electrical energy, with plans for 50% of power to come from batteries next season, though discussions are ongoing to prevent issues on long straights.
Binotto, the CEO and COO of Sauber Motorsport, emphasized that creating power units is far more intricate than it seems, despite his past engine engineering experience at Ferrari.
He acknowledged the challenges ahead for Audi in adapting to the new engine culture, but remains confident in their chosen path, admitting that they won’t lead in power units in 2026.
