Audi Revolut F1 TeamTeam·Audi Revolut F1 Team, which made its highly anticipated debut in Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 at the start of the year by acquiring Sauber MotorsportTeam·Sauber Motorsport, is fully aware of the performance gap to the established frontrunners. Mattia BinottoCoach·Mattia Binotto, the Chief Executive Officer and Head of the Audi F1 project, stated that the team's power unit currently represents its most notable area of underperformance, a situation he described as expected rather than surprising.
Binotto emphasized that the German manufacturer, operating as a full factory team with its own power unit, has a clear strategy to address this deficit. The development of the power unit is centered at Audi Sport's facility in NeuburgVenue·Neuburg, Germany, while chassis development takes place in HinwilVenue·Hinwil, Switzerland. By November 2025, the 2026 power unit development was largely complete, with focus already shifting to the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
"When we evaluate our performance on the track, I think our most obvious deficit is in the power unit, which for us is not surprising, but expected," Binotto stated. "We are a new manufacturer, and such a difference compared to the best is expected. But we have a plan going forward; we are not desperate. Quite the opposite, we are assessing where we are. The difference is huge, but we have a development plan for the future and are focused on it."
Audi's entry into Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 is underpinned by a long-term vision, with the company aiming to contend for world titles by 2030. Chief Executive Officer of Audi, Gernot DöllnerCoach·Gernot Döllner, previously affirmed that the company's ambition extends beyond mere participation, targeting championship success. Binotto echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the substantial work required to reach the level of leading teams, which possess robust organizations, infrastructure, and resources.
"We started this Audi project from scratch. Overall, we are satisfied with what has been achieved so far. It is very easy to mess things up in Formula 1, and you see that other teams around us are experiencing more difficulties," Binotto added. "So, as an entirely new team, an entirely new manufacturer, we are satisfied. This does not mean we are complacent; much more lies ahead. Our ambition is very high. In the long term, we aim high, and looking at our performance on the track, the difference to the leaders is enormous."
The team's initial foray into the 2026 season saw mixed results. At the Australian Grand PrixCompetition·Australian Grand Prix, driver Gabriel BortoletoPlayer·Gabriel Bortoleto secured the team's first points with a ninth-place finish. However, his teammate Nico HülkenbergPlayer·Nico Hülkenberg faced technical issues that prevented him from starting the race. The early season also saw some internal adjustments, with Binotto taking on additional responsibilities as head of the team following the departure of team principal Jonathan WheatleyCoach·Jonathan Wheatley in March 2026. These early challenges underscore the demanding nature of Formula 1Competition·Formula 1, even for a well-resourced new entrant.
Audi has designated 2026 and 2027 as "challenging years," with the objective of becoming a genuine contender by 2028 and ultimately vying for the championship by 2030. The candid assessment from Binotto aligns with the company's stated long-term strategy, emphasizing a realistic approach to continuous improvement in the highly competitive world of Formula 1Competition·Formula 1.
Mattia Binotto and Gabriel Bortoleto at Formula 1 testing in Bahrain. Photo: Nordphoto/IMAGO
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