Audi final summer time confirmed plans to enter Formulation 1 each as a constructor and energy unit provider by the 2026 season, and on the 2023 Shanghai auto present earlier this month the automaker supplied an replace on its progress.

Present F1 group Sauber, which Audi purchased a stake in in the beginning of 2023, will function Audi’s manufacturing facility group and deal with each development of the race vehicles in addition to race operations at its present base in Hinwil, Switzerland. Sauber has its personal wind tunnel positioned on the website.

Audi has established the brand new firm Audi Formulation Racing GmbH, primarily based in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany, to supervise the F1 program. The corporate already has 260 specialist workers and can increase this to greater than 300 by the tip of the yr, Audi mentioned.

The ability unit’s growth and development are being dealt with by Audi Formulation Racing. In line with Oliver Hoffman, Audi’s R&D chief, the event of the facility unit is presently within the idea section, the place the muse of the design is being fashioned. Key areas being checked out embody supplies, manufacturing applied sciences, and vitality administration.

A single-cylinder engine was constructed final yr for take a look at bench setup and validation of measuring devices. The primary full energy unit, consisting of the combustion engine, electrical motor, battery, and digital management unit, is scheduled to run on the take a look at bench earlier than the tip of the yr. Further take a look at rigs may even be added to the positioning later within the yr, and Audi mentioned it can additionally improve its present dynamic driving simulator on the Neuburg website to deliver it as much as F1 requirements.

Audi’s energy unit is being designed to meet new guidelines that can be launched to F1 in 2026. The principles name for a turbo 1.6-liter V-6 in a hybrid configuration, similar to the present setup. Nevertheless, the brand new energy unit can be less complicated as a result of elimination of the MGU-H, the electrical motor-generator that recovers exhaust vitality by way of the turbocharger. The MGU-Okay unit, which recovers vitality from the rear brakes similar to a traditional hybrid, will stay and can deploy extra energy.

The principles name for a rise in electrical energy to 469 hp from the present 160 hp. Peak output of the system will nonetheless be greater than 1,000 hp, although total gasoline utilization throughout a race ought to drop from about 220 kilos in the present day to 154 kilos in 2026. One other key change can be using 100% carbon-neutral e-fuel, which F1 is growing with its companions.

The brand new energy unit guidelines along with finances caps launched by F1 just a few years in the past had been necessary elements for Audi’s entry into F1, Audi mentioned. The game’s rising attraction, notably within the U.S. and China, was additionally necessary, in accordance with the automaker.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: Audi F1 present automotive

This text was initially printed by Motor Authority, an editorial companion of ClassicCars.com