Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has expressed little surprise regarding reports of Audi’s early struggles with their Formula 1 power unit development, as the German manufacturer prepares for their entry into the sport. The seasoned engineer, who spent over two decades with the Maranello outfit before departing in late 2022, believes such challenges are par for the course when manufacturers embark on Formula 1 engine projects.
Audi is set to enter Formula 1 as a power unit supplier in 2026, coinciding with new technical regulations that will govern the sport’s hybrid engines. The Volkswagen Group subsidiary has been working on their engine development at their facility in Neuburg, Germany, while simultaneously preparing to take full control of the Sauber team, which currently competes as Kick Sauber.
Binotto’s comments come amid speculation about the complexities facing new manufacturers entering Formula 1’s highly sophisticated power unit arena. The current hybrid era, which began in 2014, has seen only Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, and Renault successfully develop competitive engines, with each manufacturer facing their own unique technical hurdles during the development process.