After months of rumors and reports, Formula 1 has officially announced that Audi will be joining the 2026 World Championship season as a power unit supplier. The new power unit regulations for the 2026 season will maintain the current V6 internal combustion engines while making the switch to 100 percent sustainable fuels with an increase in electrical power.
As F1 looks to become Net Zero Carbon by 2030, Audi cites the forward-thinking changes as a key factor in its decision to join the motorsport series.
"I am delighted to welcome Audi to Formula 1, an iconic automotive brand, pioneer, and technological innovator," said F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali in a statement. "This is a major moment for our sport that highlights the huge strength we have as a global platform that continues to grow."
With Audi Sports' operations based in Neuburg, it will mark the first in more than a decade that an F1 powertrain will be built in Germany. As a new manufacturer, Audi promises to announce its decision on which team it will partner with by the end of the year. Early reports indicate that it will most likely be McLaren.
"In view of the major technological leaps that the series is making towards sustainability in 2026, we can speak of a new Formula 1. Formula 1 is transforming, and Audi wants to actively support this journey. A close link between our Formula 1 project and AUDI AG’s Technical Development department will enable synergies," writes Oliver Hoffmann, Audi's Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development.
Look for more details to emerge in the coming months and for Porsche to potentially make a similar announcement soon.
More rings are coming. Watch this space...#Audi #news #automotive #FutureIsAnAttitude pic.twitter.com/IJyqeVV3L1
— Audi Sport (@audisport) August 26, 2022
Rumor has it: Rings are the new stars: Audi joins @F1 in 2026.
>> https://t.co/3IDm5zKGIH#Audi #F1 #Formula1 #team #news #automotive #FutureIsAnAttitude pic.twitter.com/N7w7uEPTAU
— Audi Sport (@audisport) August 26, 2022
It's official - @audisport will start racing in F1 in 2026 ?#F1 pic.twitter.com/SxjZ2nLUVc
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2022
In other news, Novak Djokovic officially withdraws from the 2022 US Open.
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