Despite all the rumors, Audi still wants to enter Formula 1 in 2026. “There is a clear decision from the board of directors, from the supervisory boards of Audi and Volkswagen, that Audi will enter Formula 1 in 2026. The plan is in place,” said the new boss Gernot Döllner to the “Handelsblatt”.
Audi announced its billion-dollar entry into Formula 1 for the 2026 season at the Belgian Grand Prix in August 2022. “With the new regulations, now is the right time for us to get started,” said then Audi CEO and Formula 1 supporter Markus Duesmann at the press conference. Audi didn’t want to do Formula 1 “as a joke,” but to show “what we can do. The Olympic idea of just wanting to be there doesn’t support us,” he later said.
At the end of June, however, the Volkswagen Group discontinued Duesmann. His successor was Gernot Döllner from the beginning of September. The former Porsche man then got an overview of Audi. Since he had a kind of 100-day confidentiality obligation and he did not comment on topics such as the planned and internally controversial entry into Formula 1, rumors of an end simmered.
Audi has long been preparing to enter Formula 1. The engine is built in Neuburg an der Donau. The chassis comes from the Sauber team in Hinwil. Audi has long since taken over shares in the traditional Swiss racing team, which competed this season under the name of partner Alfa Romeo.
