As Audi work towards their F1 debut, arguably their biggest challenge is introducing their own power unit. On paper, the German brand has a lot of ground to make up if they are to compete with the more experienced manufacturers.
Because of this, Red Bull Powertrains – who will also debut in 2026 – are seen as the most realistic target for Audi to overcome on the performance front.
At the same time, there are no certainties next season. Even relatively seasoned engine departments could find themselves struggling to perform in such a massive regulatory change.
To ensure a smooth start, one of the biggest priorities for 2026 is engine reliability. According to Audi F1 CEO Mattia Binotto says the first tests on the dyno are positive.
Building the foundations for first ever F1 campaign
In recent seasons, engine reliability – and reliability more broadly – has been extremely high across the field. Engine failures are increasingly rare, with Lando Norris’ DNF at the Dutch GP serving as the most notable mechanical retirement of 2025.
Of course, failures and DNFs will be far more common in 2026. There is virtually no carryover from this year’s cars to next year – and this equation is further complicated by new power units.
Focusing on the engine front, something critical for all manufacturers (but especially for Honda, Audi and Red Bull Powertrains) will be reliability and data collection in testing.
From a pure resource and infrastructural perspective, Ferrari and Mercedes have the advantage. Moreover, thanks to their multiple customer teams, they have the luxury of being able to collect significant amounts of data for their engines.
Audi do not have this luxury, which means every lap counts in pre-season testing to prepare for 2026.
Even after the season commences in Australia, the development race will have only begun. Substantial shifts across the field are almost inevitable, as manufacturers bring upgrades and modifications to their design.
In any case, Audi recognise that a reliable engine – with a solid design and no underlying problems – will be the key to laying a dependable foundation.
Mattia Binotto outlines Audi engine progress
“The challenge is big, the power unit is a complex and difficult matter,” Binotto explained at Audi’s launch event last month.
Having spent years overseeing Ferrari’s engine programme, Binotto is well-placed to oversee power unit development at Audi. According to the 56-year-old, there is some good progress behind the scenes:
“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.”
“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.”
For obvious reasons, teams are reluctant to discuss their progress ahead of 2026. There is little to gain and everything to lose by speaking positively about your development – especially before a year with so many unknowns.
Still, Binotto’s comments are some of the most concrete that have emerged about the Audi F1 project.
His quotes are also consistent with reports that emerged a few months ago, which claimed that Audi could be more competitive in 2026 than previously thought.
Ultimately, only time will tell how the German squad cope with the challenges of fielding an F1 manufacturer team. However, until evidence proves otherwise, this project should not be written off so quickly.
READ MORE: Oscar Piastri could be Champion next year – Zak Brown
Main photo: Andy Hone/LAT Images (Sauber Media Hub)