Audi Joins Formula 1 as Engine Manufacturer Amid Cautions of a Long Road to Success

In a recent development, Audi has officially registered as a manufacturer of F1 engines for the 2026 regulations. This move marks Audi’s first foray into the sport as an official manufacturer, following the complete acquisition of Sauber and a restart of the technical regulations. With its impressive resources and past achievements in other racing disciplines, Audi is expected to make a big impact in F1. However, former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger offered a word of caution to Audi, drawing a parallel with Red Bull’s entry into the sport in 2005. Berger highlights the need for patience and the likelihood of facing initial challenges before achieving success. He recalls how it took Red Bull six years to become a winning team, despite the arrival of renowned designer Adrian Newey. Berger believes it will take at least five years for Audi to establish itself at the front of the grid, citing the similar journey of Ferrari in the early 2000s. Despite having Michael Schumacher and a talented team, Ferrari needed five years before winning world titles. The Sauber/Audi project faces a tough task, as evidenced by Sauber’s lack of points in the first nine races of the 2024 season. However, the team has managed to secure Nico Hulkenberg for 2025 and is also targeting Carlos Sainz Jr., son of Audi’s Dakar winner Carlos Sainz Sr., for the other seat. Sainz Jr. is also considering options with Williams as he evaluates his post-Ferrari prospects.