Audi final summer time confirmed plans to enter the Method 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 crew Sauber, which Audi purchased a stake in initially of 2023, will function Audi’s manufacturing facility crew, and deal with each development of the race automobiles in addition to race operations at its present base in Hinwil, Switzerland. Sauber has its personal wind tunnel positioned on the web site.
Audi has established the brand new firm Audi Method Racing GmbH, primarily based in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany, to supervise the F1 program. The corporate already has 260 specialist workers and can develop this to greater than 300 by the tip of the yr, Audi mentioned.
The ability unit’s improvement and development is being dealt with by Audi Method Racing. Based on Oliver Hoffman, Audi’s R&D chief, the event of the ability unit is at the moment within the idea part, the place the inspiration of the design is being shaped. Key areas being checked out embody supplies, manufacturing applied sciences, and vitality administration.
Oliver Hoffmann
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 can 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 web site to carry it as much as F1 requirements.
Audi’s energy unit is being designed to satisfy new guidelines that will probably be launched to F1 in 2026. The principles name for a turbo 1.6-liter V-6 in a hybrid configuration, identical to the present setup. Nonetheless, the brand new energy unit will probably be easier as a result of elimination of the MGU-H, the electrical motor-generator that recovers exhaust vitality through the turbocharger. The MGU-Ok unit, which recovers vitality from the (rear) brakes identical 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 general gas utilization throughout a race ought to drop from about 220 kilos at present to 154 kilos in 2026. One other key change will probably 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 a number of years in the past have been essential elements for Audi’s entry into F1, Audi mentioned. The game’s rising enchantment, significantly within the U.S. and China, was additionally essential, in line with the automaker.