Audi is competing in Formula 1 for the first time after taking over the Swiss-based Sauber team. The German carmaker officially launched its new F1 project at a high-profile event in Berlin.
Team principal Jonathan Wheatley called the moment historic and said Audi’s plans are ambitious but realistic. He said the team knows where it is starting from and understands how tough the journey ahead will be.
“We’re not here to mess around,” Wheatley said. “We want to make Audi the most successful F1 team in history. There are milestones on that journey, and we are starting it today.”
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Audi chief executive officer Gernot Dollner said the company always enters motorsport to win and innovate. He added that Audi aims to compete at the highest level and fight for championships by 2030.
Mattia Binotto, who leads the Audi F1 project, said the team is fully aware it is only at the beginning. He said there will be many challenges, but Audi is prepared to face them.
Although Audi ran its new car at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last week, the car shown at the Berlin event was only a show car and not the final race design.
Audi will take part in the first pre-season test with other teams at Barcelona next week. The test will be held privately, following Formula 1 regulations.
The team also revealed its slogan, “To start something, stop at nothing.” Binotto said it reflects Audi’s mindset of pushing forward, even though difficult and disappointing moments.
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He added that the main goal for the early years is to become competitive. Binotto stressed that the team must stay humble, keep learning, and understand that being average is no longer acceptable.
Wheatley said Audi is fully committed to the project and will do whatever is needed to make it successful.
Meanwhile, Racing Bulls also ran their 2026 car at a private test at Imola. Rookie driver Arvid Lindblad spun during the session, while team-mate Liam Lawson also completed a short run under strict F1 testing limits.
