The draft Audi in Formula 1 has experienced its first major milestone With the initial start-up of its new hybrid-era single-seater, the first ignition of the engine-chassis assembly took place at the team's base in Hinwil, Switzerland, after years of coordinated work between the brand's various European locations. This marks the car's transition from a design based on blueprints and simulations to a fully operational prototype.
This first "fire-up" involves the turning point between the design phase and the reality on the trackIn a context where Formula 1 will debut new technical and engine regulations, the moment has a strong symbolic component for Audi, a newcomer as a full manufacturer after taking over from Sauber: it is the first time its own hybrid power unit It works mounted on the chassis that will compete in the World Championship.
A first step that gives life to the project
The commissioning took place at the Hinwil facilities on December 19th. when Audi's hybrid engine roared for the first time coupled to the chassisAlthough the manufacturer has not released the sound of the power unit, internally it is considered a critical step: it serves to verify that all mechanical, electrical, electronic and cooling systems are correctly integrated and communicate properly.
This type of test is a classic in any Formula 1 program, but in this case it takes on special relevance: It is the first Formula 1 car developed entirely under the Audi umbrellaUntil now, Sauber used Ferrari engines; from the new regulations, the Swiss structure becomes the operational base of the official team of the four-ring brand, which has opted to develop its own power unit.
The operation was the result of coordination between the engine division in Neuburg (Germany), the chassis team in Hinwil and the new technical center in BicesterThe three teams have worked in parallel to meet a key date on the internal calendar: to ensure the engine started without problems once installed in the car before the start of the sporting year.
A power unit adapted to the new regulations
The engine that Audi has started up for the first time is designed in accordance with the regulations that will come into force with the new hybrid era of Formula 1. The regulations significantly increase the weight of the electrical components. and requires the use of sustainable fuels, in line with the category's decarbonization goals and the German manufacturer's own technology strategy.
The brand operates on the premise of to break the 1.000 horsepower barrier by combining the combustion engine with a powerful electrical sectionThis presents significant challenges in terms of energy management, thermal efficiency, and reliability. Integrating more demanding energy recovery systems and adapting to new fuels requires pushing the electronics and power unit architecture to their limits to avoid performance losses or durability issues.
With the initial startup issue now resolved, The phase that is now beginning is focused on simulations, bench tests and reliability validationAudi suggests that the Energy managementIn both qualifying and the race, this will be one of the factors that will make the difference compared to rivals like Ferrari or Mercedes, who have extensive experience with the current hybrid systems.
Audi's statements and strategic vision
The company's top executive, Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi and Chairman of the Board of Audi Motorsport AGHe emphasized the value of this step as part of a project that goes beyond mere sporting results. He asserted that entering Formula 1 is part of the brand's renewal and its commitment to being at the forefront of technology, reflected in the well-known slogan of the Ingolstadt-based company.
Döllner believes that this milestone functions as an internal catalyst, generating pride, identity and cohesion between the various headquarters and departments involved. The first start-up of the engine in the single-seater is interpreted within Audi as tangible proof that the commitment to developing its own engine is beginning to bear fruit and that the organization is aligned around that objective.
On the sporting and technical side, the project is led by Mattia Binotto, former head of Ferrari in Formula 1The Italian engineer has insisted that this first ignition is an emotional step, but also a purely pragmatic one: it confirms that the integration of the main systems works and allows the work to be directed towards the next stage, that of running on the track and collecting real data.
Binotto, however, maintains a cautious tone. He has emphasized that The season of regulatory changes will be a kind of "day zero" for AudiWith an eye on a medium-term horizon that could place the goal of fighting for the title around 2030, their priority now is to build a robust technical platform that allows for sustained growth, rather than pursuing immediate results at any cost.
The role of the Audi Revolut F1 Team and its structure
Alongside its technical development, the team has been defining its commercial and sporting image. Under the official name of Audi Revolut F1 TeamAs a result of the agreement with the financial firm that will act as the main sponsor, the team inherits Sauber's infrastructure but with a renewed brand identity.
The sporting management position falls to Jonathan Wheatley, known for his long previous career at Red BullThe Briton, who has been involved in Sauber's transition to its new phase as Audi, believes that the first fire-up has a fundamental impact on the team's morale. He speaks of a boost in motivation and greater clarity of direction now that the car is no longer an abstract concept and is beginning to become a concrete competitive tool.
Wheatley points out that Successful startup allows the team to more accurately set the next phases of the scheduleThe process includes consolidating the bench data, factory validations, the first laps on the track, and finally, the official competition debut. Melbourne, host of the Australian Grand Prix that will open the season, is already being considered the project's first major event.
A personal project after the Ferrari engine era
Audi's arrival on the grid occurs after a period in which Sauber competed with Ferrari enginesAnd in a context where another brand, Cadillac, will also join as a new team. Although the American brand has garnered some media attention, Audi's challenge is different: to assume the dual role of chassis builder and manufacturer of its own power unit.
The initial announcement of the project took place in 2022, at the Belgian Grand Prix, when the progressive acquisition of Sauber was made publicSince then, the goal has been to transform a well-established midfield team into a factory-backed factory team with the resources and ambitions of a true works team. The first engine start at Hinwil marks the moment that transition moves from the offices and mock-ups to a car capable of starting up and, soon, running on a track.
Calendar: From Berlin to Barcelona and beyond
After overcoming this technical milestone, Audi has also activated its communication and public presentation plan. The next big step will be the launch event in Berlinwhere the final livery of the car and the complete visual identity of the team for the new stage in Formula 1 will be revealed.
This event in the German capital will reinforce the team's connection to its roots in Central EuropeThis will also serve as the starting gun for the most visible part of the project. The single-seater, whose internal name is R26, is scheduled to be shown to the public and the media before the first pre-season tests begin.
After Berlin, the plan is to move on to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a series of private, closed-door testsThe tests, scheduled between January 26 and 30, will be the first opportunity to compare, at least internally, the Audi's performance with that of other new-generation cars and to begin refining settings, engine maps, and energy management under real-world conditions.
The Formula 1 calendar also includes two weeks of official testing in Bahrainwith sessions scheduled from February 11-13 and 18-20. From there, the next major milestone for Audi will be the Australian Grand Prix, the opening race in Melbourne, where the team will be put to the test in a race for the first time against the rest of the grid.
Internal preparations and new Content Hub
In terms of organization and media, the team is finalizing details for its debut. Coinciding with the Berlin presentation, A new Content Hub specifically for Audi F1 will become operational, designed as a central hub for distributing press releases, news, audiovisual material and updates on Grand Prix weekends.
According to the racing team, this portal will serve as an informative reference for both fans and the mediaJournalists will be able to register to receive press releases and technical documentation, reinforcing the brand's commitment to structured and centralized communication, in line with the expected importance of Audi in the new era of Formula 1.
A long road with an already established foundation
With the engine now running and the chassis fully integrated, Audi enters a decisive phase of its program towards the regulatory change season. The coming weeks will be marked by intensive work on validation, reliability adjustments, and fine-tuning., while the team prepares to face the first laps in Barcelona and the subsequent tests in Bahrain.
Although external expectations are high, the structure itself insists that The real objective is to consolidate a solid technical and organizational base allowing for gradual growth. The initial engine start doesn't guarantee immediate results, but it does confirm that the project is progressing as planned and that the complex machinery of a new Formula 1 manufacturer is beginning to function in a coordinated manner.
From Europe, and especially from the centers of Hinwil, Neuburg and Bicester, it is perceived that this first roar of the Audi single-seater marks the real start of a new era that will combine technological ambition, new sustainability standards, and fierce competition on the grid. What until recently were plans and promises has now become a running car, a defined calendar, and a team that is beginning to define its role in the next era of Formula 1.
Photo: Audi
Video: DAZN