Mattia Binotto, head of Audi’s Formula 1 project, has highlighted the importance of improving the power unit to achieve competitive performance in the 2026 season. With a five-week break between races, the team has the opportunity to address various issues.
Binotto pointed out that the performance gap with the top teams is primarily concentrated in the power unit, a factor that hasn’t taken them by surprise, as building a new engine presents significant challenges.
“We knew it would be our biggest difficulty, and also that it was where we could gain the most performance. The figures indicate that most deficiencies lie in the power unit, but we have development plans in place,” Binotto explained.
The key aspects to improve include not only power but also energy efficiency, drivability, and energy deployment. Binotto emphasized that the harshness of gear changes and the vehicle’s instability when braking and accelerating are issues that need immediate resolution.
The coming days will be crucial for Audi, which aims not only to fix defects but also to advance its improvements. “This break offers us a unique opportunity to refocus on our upcoming developments,” concluded the head of Audi.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI