The Audi engine for the 2026 F1 season is already on the test bench
Adam Baker and Stefan Dreyer, responsible for Audi Formula Racing, say that the 2026 engine is already being tested. The team should soon be doing the same for the transmission system.
The Audi team, which should join the grid by 2026, is already focused on the car that will hit the track. With 1 driver already announced (Nico Hülkenberg), there is no time to rest for the team that must build a car as quickly as possible.
Unlike other teams already committed in 2024, Audi has to start from scratch. This involves the creation of a new company, Audi Formula Racing GmbH, all the way to the complete development of the car, as they have chosen to enter with their own powertrain. Adam Baker, director at Audi, and Stefan Dreyer, technical team director, provided updates on the project’s progress.
The engine is already ready
After two years of development, the engine is finally on the test benches, as confirmed by the team. This means that everything seems to be working correctly already, or at least well enough to be used.
« The Audi powertrain has already covered simulated racing distances on the test bench, Baker told the media. « We saved a lot of testing time with individual components in 2023 and were able to integrate the experience gained into the next stages of construction.
« The engine group operates dynamically on the test bench,” he added.
Stefan Dreyer, who accompanied the director, also explained the importance of simulated tests for the project’s progress. Our new development tools are at the forefront of technology and have allowed us to achieve a very rapid learning curve, clarified the technical director. So far, we have achieved all the objectives we had set for ourselves in terms of performance and efficiency at this stage.
Limited by the budget
Even though Audi has not yet entered Formula 1 at the moment, the team must respect the rules set by the FIA. This includes not exceeding the maximum budget cap for teams in 2025. Set at around 95 million dollars for this year, this represents a real challenge for the team which is building its power unit.
« Like all the other Formula 1 teams and power unit manufacturers, we found ourselves facing the challenge of having to prepare accordingly. It’s all about efficiency and compliance with the budget cap,” said Adam Baker. « The fact that we can operate at the maximum of the budget cap with power unit development puts us on an equal footing with our competitors,” he added.
Audi is already moving on to the next step.
Following the numerous tests carried out and the more than satisfactory data, the German manufacturer will now move on to a new stage: trying the complete driving unit. After successfully completing the race distances with the powertrain, we will soon do the same with the entire steering system, which includes the combination of the powertrain and the transmission, confirm the two managers.
The limited number of tests authorized by the FIA adds another challenge to the creation of the vehicle. But Audi remains motivated and announces that they are getting closer to what the car should look like for 2026.
