Binotto admits to 'tense moments' inside the Audi F1 project

17:54, 16 Nov

byOlly Darcy

Mattia Binotto has stated there is a "long journey ahead" in F1 for Audi, admitting to some "tense moments" during the project.

"To become world champion, to become the best car on track, all the challenges are tricky."

- Mattia Binotto

The German manufacturer will replace Sauber on the grid for the 2026 season, becoming a full factory team as the project to join F1 nears its conclusion.

Audi became the first team to display a 2026 concept car with a launch in Munich, and Audi's CEO, Gernot Döllner, heightened many expectations with a huge statement: “By 2030, we want to fight for the World Championship title.”

"The challenge is big. The power unit is a complex and difficult matter," Binotto said as he slightly tempered expectations for 2026 while speaking to F1.com.

Audi became the first team on the grid to announce their 2026 concept car - Photo: Audi MediaCenter

“The development of the power unit takes time; it takes longer than the chassis and aero. The team started years ago to develop the power unit, and it's running well on the dyno.

“But for us, it will be a long journey, and there will be much we need to learn, but we are all excited.

"On the dyno, we are running through reliability at the moment, ensuring reliability will be alright for the start of the season. There are some tense moments in Neuberg – but that's the challenge."

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There will be lots of talk surrounding Audi's power unit that they will bring to the grid as a factory team, and that is one of many tasks that Binotto has highlighted in their quest for glory.

"I think the power unit challenge is difficult, but to become world champion, to become the best car on track, all the challenges are tricky.

“I don't think you can select one or the other being the most difficult. But for a new manufacturer, certainly it's not easy," concluded Binotto.

Audi with first official 2026 concept

On November 12, the historic project for Audi reached another major milestone with the announcement of their 2026 concept car, the first F1 team to do so.

There was plenty of positivity from Binotto and Wheatley, along with the huge statement made by Döllner regarding their championship aspirations.

Several GPblog members have had their say on how the German team will fare when they make their debut in the pinnacle of motorsport, and don't forget to check out the latest F1 Tech report that dives deep into the brand new cars for 2026.

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