Mattia Binotto reveals the hurdles Audi faces ahead of its F1 launch. Mattia Binotto opens up about Audi's F1 debut in 2026.

Audi’s journey into Formula 1 is entering its most delicate phase: the actual debut in 2026, with the full integration of the Sauber structure. As the Audi project takes shape, Mattia Binotto, now head of the German brand’s F1 program, does not hide that the path has not been simple. In an interview with F1.com, the former Ferrari team principal spoke openly about the challenges encountered while developing Audi’s first fully in-house power unit.

Binotto: “The challenge is enormous”

Binotto does not shy away from the issue. The engine is the heart of the project, and building it from scratch inevitably comes with obstacles, pressures, and tight deadlines.

“The challenge is huge. The power unit is a complex and very difficult component. Its development takes time, far more than the chassis or aerodynamics,” he explained.

The engine team has been working for years on the new power unit, designed to comply with the revolutionary 2026 regulations. According to Mattia Binotto, early results on the test bench are encouraging, but there is still a long way to go:

“At the moment, we are focusing primarily on reliability. We want to make sure that everything is ready for the start of the season.”

Then comes the most candid admission:

“There have been tense moments in Neuburg. But this is the nature of the challenge.”

Audi aims for a world championship by 2030

During the presentation of the R26 concept car, Audi publicly declared its ambition: to fight for a world championship by 2030. This is a massive goal for a team that will officially debut very soon, but it highlights the seriousness of the brand’s economic and technical commitment. And while the power unit represents the heaviest challenge, Mattia Binotto emphasizes that winning in F1 requires excellence in all areas:

“The power unit is certainly a tough challenge. But to become world champions, all challenges are tough. You cannot say which is the most difficult. For a new constructor, nothing is easy. We are only at the beginning of the journey. There is much to learn. But we are all excited.”