Audi Sets Sights on Formula 1 World Championship by 2030
The new Audi Formula 1 team has unveiled its ambitious plan to win a world championship by 2030, following the reveal of its 2026 race livery at a launch event in Berlin on Tuesday evening. This announcement marks a significant milestone for the team, which is set to make its F1 debut this year after taking over the Swiss Sauber team in 2025.
Audi will produce its own power units out of a facility in Neuberg an der Donau, Germany, and has retained last year’s Sauber drivers, Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, for the 2026 season. The team’s 2026 car, named the R26, has already undergone a filming day at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on January 9, although the images released for the launch event featured a generic show car in the new Audi livery rather than the actual R26.
Ambitious Five-Year Plan
The five-year plan to win a world championship by 2030 may seem ambitious, especially considering Sauber finished ninth in last year’s constructors’ standings. However, Audi Motorsport CEO and chairman, Gernot Döllner, clarified the target, stating that the team’s “aim” is to “fight” for titles by 2030. “Today marks more than a launch; it marks the public declaration of a new era for Audi,” Döllner said. “Formula 1 is the most demanding stage in the world of motorsport, and we are here not just to compete, but to define the future of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik.'”
Döllner emphasized the team’s long-term commitment, saying, “Our philosophy is one of absolute, long-term commitment. We understand that success in Formula 1 demands relentless perseverance, and Audi Revolut F1 Team is not here to make up the numbers; we aim to be fighting for the World Championship by 2030.” The team’s “Mission 2030” plan is built around this goal, with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and performance.
Technical Expertise and Team Structure
Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto, who was appointed as the head of the Audi F1 project in 2024, believes the team is well-placed to achieve its 2030 target. “The strategic decision to enter Formula 1 as a full works team is our single greatest asset,” Binotto said. “We have spent the last few years meticulously building not just a power unit in Neuburg but laying the foundations for a technical organisation that binds our chassis development in Hinwil and Bicester.”
Team principal Jonathan Wheatley added, “This car is the physical embodiment of thousands of hours of hard work from a hugely talented group of people across our facilities. Today, we start this journey with immense pride, but also with humility. This is just day one of a long campaign. Our mission is to embed a championship DNA into every fibre of this team.” The team’s structure, split across three sites, including a satellite base in Bicester, United Kingdom, is designed to facilitate seamless integration and innovation.
As the team embarks on its journey to the 2030 world championship, it will be interesting to see how they navigate the challenges of the Formula 1 world. With a strong team structure, technical expertise, and a clear vision, Audi is certainly a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
