Audi, the new addition to Formula 1, has set a clear goal: to compete for the World Championship before 2030. The team director, Mattia Binotto, has detailed the long-term plans of the German brand at a time when their debut in the competition is recent.
After acquiring the spot of Sauber for the 2026 season, Audi currently occupies ninth place in the standings after nine races, with a total of six points earned by driver Gabriel Bortoleto.
Although his teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, has not managed to score points, Audi has shown competitive performance, managing to appear in Q2 at each Grand Prix and accessing Q3 on three occasions. This foundation provides the opportunity to build a solid team for the future.
Binotto has pointed out that his most immediate focus is the period between 2026 and 2027, years he considers essential for the team’s development and growth. According to him, one of the key milestones along the way will be the year 2028, when they expect to make significant progress.
The team’s priority is to focus on improving organization and training personnel. Currently, a little over 100 professionals work on the track, while nearly 1,400 work on the chassis and power unit development. Binotto has commented that the work done off the track is as important, if not more so, than what is seen in competition.
Additionally, Binotto has acknowledged that there are aspects to improve, especially in the power unit, which is currently about 4% below the level of Red Bull Ford. This difference allows Audi to make two improvements to the engine, hoping these updates can bring the power unit up to the level of competitors.
Aware that this project is long-term, Binotto is optimistic about Audi’s ability to have a competitive power unit in a couple of seasons. Meanwhile, his satisfaction with the chassis has been evidenced by the good references given by drivers from other teams, highlighting the strength of the car in the corners.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
