Audi Racing Director Allan McNish has affirmed that the Formula 1 team is progressing according to its established objectives, despite ongoing operational adjustments and performance challenges in its debut 2026 season. The German manufacturer, which took over Sauber operations, has set a long-term goal of competing for the world championship by 2030.
The team currently occupies eighth position in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship standings, having accumulated 27 points after 19 rounds, placing them four points behind Haas. This position reflects a season marked by both promising pace and reliability issues, particularly with the power unit in the first half of the year.
Significant personnel changes have been implemented within the organisation. Beat Zehnder, a long-serving figure with 39 years at the Hinwil operation, will depart at the end of December 2026 as part of a restructuring ahead of the 2027 season. Zehnder had served as Team Manager from 1994 and more recently as Director Signature Programs & Operations.
Concurrently, Audi has appointed Thomas Fuhr as the new CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, responsible for its power unit operations. Fuhr, who previously held the position of Managing Director at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains, commenced his role on November 1, 2026.
Infrastructure development at the Hinwil campus in Switzerland is also a key focus. Audi has outlined plans for a new Formula 1 campus, located less than a kilometre from its current base. Elements of this new facility became operational in summer 2026, with full completion anticipated by 2030.
The existing Hinwil site will be redeveloped into the team’s manufacturing centre and wind tunnel operation. Recent additions include a new staff canteen and gym, aimed at enhancing employee welfare and fostering team cohesion.
McNish, who joined Audi as Racing Director in April 2026, highlighted the impact of these internal improvements. He noted the increased dedication of staff, citing mechanics using the new gym immediately after returning from races.
“If you look at our pitstops, at what the guys have done in the pitstops, that to me is a really telling point of how they are being able to consistently deliver. It’s this wider side of things that is unseen.”
The team’s power units are developed and manufactured in Neuburg, Germany, complemented by a technical centre in Bicester, United Kingdom, established in 2025. While Audi scored points on its debut in Australia in March, power unit reliability was a significant hurdle in the initial phase of the season.
Audi’s strategy for late-2026 has prioritised aerodynamic development, with major power unit upgrades reserved for the 2027 season. Team Principal Mattia Binotto had previously stated that the 2026 power unit was not expected to be the strongest from the outset.
The current driver lineup features Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Hülkenberg has contributed 13 points to the team’s tally, with Bortoleto adding 10 points. The team is currently participating in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where a special green and yellow livery has been unveiled for Bortoleto’s home race.
During Friday practice in Sao Paulo, Freddie Slater drove in FP1, but Hülkenberg was unable to participate in FP2 due to a car issue. Bortoleto recorded the eighth-fastest time in FP1.
