“Not a surprise”: Binotto admits Audi’s power unit is the real problem
There are projects that seem to carry an air of inevitability, as if success were already written into the DNA of the brand taking to the grid. And then there are seasons in which that certainty begins to crack, revealing a more uncomfortable truth: even giants can realise they have underestimated the mountain they are trying to climb. Audi’s 2026 project is currently living exactly in that suspended reality, where ambition remains intact but technical reality delivers a heavier-than-expected bill.
It is not a failure — not yet. It is, rather, a moment of collective awareness, a slowdown that forces the team to look inward and accept that certain gaps are not closed by pedigree, but by time. And when a team principal like Mattia Binotto speaks so openly, without filters, it means the story being written is far more complex, fragile, and human than expected.
An ambitious project discovering its fragility
Mattia Binotto did not look for excuses. He chose one of the rarest approaches in the paddock: honesty. Audi is behind, and it is not a surprise. The new engine regulations have reshaped the 2026 Formula 1 era, rewarding those who understood them quickly — and once again, Mercedes has shown itself to be the fastest at reading the direction of travel.
Binotto explained it without hesitation:
“Most of our gap is in the power unit, which is not a surprise.” – the former Ferrari team boss pointed out.
It is not disappointment, he says, but awareness. Building an engine from scratch is a monumental task, and Audi has quickly discovered how easy it is to underestimate the complexity of regulations that reward efficiency, integration, and long-term vision.
The team principal also reminded that the real target is set for 2030, and not by chance: that is the time needed to turn a raw project into a fully competitive system.
“We knew it would be the biggest challenge. That is where the most room for improvement is.”
Not just power: the real battle is drivability
Audi’s R26 issue is not simply a lack of horsepower. It goes deeper — structural and operational. Binotto made it clear that the car struggles with energy management, power delivery, and shift smoothness.
“Gear changes are very harsh. The car is unstable under braking and acceleration.”
It is a detail that carries huge weight. Because today, drivability is just as important as raw power. An engine that does not properly interact with the chassis, that fails to support the driver through transitions, can cost up to a second per lap. And in modern Formula 1, where margins are measured in thousandths, that is a massive gap.
Still, Binotto defended the chassis work:
“From a chassis point of view, we have done a good job. Most of the delta comes from the power unit.”
It is a way of saying the foundation is there, but the heart is missing. And that heart, right now, is not beating strongly enough.
Audi is not surprised by the delay — but by its depth
Binotto does not hide anything: the project is long, complex, and full of challenges. But it is also a path the team chose knowingly, aware that the real objective was not immediate success, but building something sustainable.
The R26 is an imperfect beginning.
2030 is the destination.
And everything happening now is simply the price to pay to truly get there.
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