Copyright RACER
Audi has set itself a target of fighting for world championships in Formula 1 from 2030 onwards, ahead of its debut in the sport next year. The new Audi works team is building its own power unit in Germany and is taking over Swiss-based Sauber for its chassis division, with the two locations complemented by a technology office in the UK. Given the undertaking of becoming a full constructor as part of its entry, Audi acknowledges it will take a number of years to fight for titles, but it has a firm date in mind. Audi unveils R26 concept ahead of F1 debut “Motorsport is part of the Audi DNA and has always been the driving force behind technological progress and innovation,” Audi CEO Gernot Dollner said, as the team unveiled its brand identity in Munich on Wednesday. “By entering the pinnacle of motorsport, Audi is making a clear, ambitious statement. It is the next chapter in the company’s renewal. “Formula 1 will be a catalyst for the change towards a leaner, faster and more innovative Audi. We are not entering Formula 1 just to be there. We want to win. At the same time, we know that you don’t become a top team in Formula 1 overnight. It takes time, perseverance and tireless questioning of the status quo. By 2030, we want to fight for the world championship title.” Head of Audi F1 project Mattia Binotto has previously led Ferrari and says Audi must have patience to go through a number of milestones on its pathway to title contention. “The Audi F1 project is the most exciting project in motorsports, if not in sports overall,” Binotto said. “The goal is clear: to fight for championships by 2030. That journey takes time, the right people, and a mindset of continuous improvement. “Formula 1 is one of the most competitive environments. Becoming a champion is a journey of progress. Mistakes will happen, but learning from them is what drives transformation. That’s why we follow a three-phased approach: starting as a challenger with the ambition to grow, evolving into a competitor by daring the status quo and achieving first successes, and ultimately becoming a champion. “Early next year, Audi’s first F1 car will take to the track for the first time. That moment will mark the beginning of something special. The first step of many on the journey ahead.” Binotto was present in Munich alongside the driver line-up of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, and although he describes the title target as ambitious, he says it is a realistic one or Audi to aim for. “Is it realistic aiming to fight for a championship in 2030 at the end of the decade? Yes, no doubt. It's not only that Dr. [Gernot] Dollner mentioned it, but it's something we agreed all together. So when deciding our objective, we had a long discussion. We went through a deep dive analysis of what's possible and what's not. As we're looking back at other teams, how long it takes in Formula 1 to create solid foundations. “I think five years is realistic but still very ambitious. Normally it may take even some more [time]. It's ambitious because we are ambitious and we are Audi. And we believe that's the right timing. “It gives us maybe three years to build, two years to consolidate before we become successful. If we can win before, we will try. Our ambition is such that, yes, we've set our objectives, but we will do our best to achieve the best results in the shortest time as possible. But yes, it's an agreed and shared objective. “If I go back to the culture. I think that's the first step. It's setting a clear objective for an entire company, an entire organization and I think that was really the first discussion we had and the first agreement.”
