Audi continues to build its future, relying on a figure who deeply understands the brand’s DNA. In an exclusive interview with F1.com‘s Lawrence Barretto, the new Audi Racing Director, Allan McNish, shared the German manufacturer’s technical and sporting vision, openly admitting the current difficulties—particularly regarding the power unit.
The former 24 Hours of Le Mans winner officially stepped into his new role during the Miami Grand Prix, taking a central position within the structure led by Mattia Binotto. For McNish, however, this isn’t just a managerial post; it is something far more personal.
“It’s not necessarily a job or a job description, it’s about being able to be part of something that pushes a program forward. There’s a part of my heart in it. Ultimately, we’re here to try to win. We’re here to try to be successful,” the Scotsman explained.
Building the future between Hinwil and Neuburg
The bond between Allan McNish and Audi has lasted roughly twenty-five years. His journey has seen him transition through multiple roles: works driver, Formula E Team Principal, and a strategic figure in the development of the Formula 1 project.
His direct experience within Audi’s infrastructure allows him to have a clear reading of the project’s potential. On one side is Hinwil, the hub for chassis development; on the other is Neuburg, the nerve center for the power unit.
According to McNish, the primary strength lies in the growth of the human and technical structure the brand is consolidating. “We have a very strong team here in Race Operations, but also what Mattia is building, both in Neuburg and in Hinwil, is something that I think supports it very well,” he stated.
The former Scottish driver also emphasized the importance of his track experience, which allows him to interpret the needs of drivers like Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
“Having racing experience helps because I can look at it through the eyes of Nico and Gabi. At the same time, it’s about having an overview of what’s needed from the team’s perspective rather than just the driver’s perspective,” he explained.
Audi F1: The power unit remains the critical challenge
The most compelling part of the interview involves the frankness with which Allan McNish addresses the power unit. Audi is facing an extremely complex challenge: developing an F1 engine from scratch without the historical data and legacy of the established manufacturers already on the grid.
McNish didn’t shy away from the issue, openly admitting that a performance deficit exists. “From a power unit perspective, it’s the biggest and hardest job. No question. There’s a lot to learn. I don’t think we’re firing at our maximum performance at the moment. We still have some work to do and we’re a bit under in terms of performance.”
This is a significant admission because it indirectly confirms the delicate nature of the current regulatory cycle. Building a competitive power unit requires years of development, infrastructure, and—most importantly—an enormous amount of operational data. Unlike Mercedes or Ferrari, Audi cannot rely on customer teams to accelerate the data-gathering process.
Despite this, McNish believes the project’s foundation is solid, particularly from an organizational standpoint. “The area where I’m really happiest is when I look at the people behind the scenes. It’s a young team that is building together as we move forward,” he added.
Eyes on 2030: Audi’s realistic roadmap
Audi management has set 2030 as a realistic horizon to seriously challenge for world titles. It is a timeline that reflects the complexity of the operation and the need to consolidate every department before consistently challenging the top teams.
In the short term, Allan McNish urges everyone to keep expectations balanced. “We have to be realistic. We are new; we have to learn a lot both on and off the circuit,” he declared.
The immediate goal is to increase operational consistency, reduce errors, and move closer to being a regular fixture in Q3. “Hopefully, we’ll be knocking on the door of Q3, aiming for it consistently, but we also know that won’t always be possible. We have to consider that this is the first year of a long-term project.”
These words paint a picture of a Four Rings brand that is still far from the summit but fully aware of its trajectory. The central point is clear: the German manufacturer is not thinking about the short term, but rather about building a structure capable of becoming a technical powerhouse over the course of an entire regulatory cycle.
Audi’s honest assessment of their engine deficit therefore underscores the steep learning curve faced by new entrants in the hybrid era. The combination of managerial stability under Mattia Binotto and the racing pedigree of Allan McNish will be vital as the team attempts to bridge the gap to the front-runners by the end of the decade.
Leave a Reply