Audi’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026 has sent a clear message to the top teams: they are coming to win. With a proven track record of success in various motorsport categories, Audi is not entering F1 to make up the numbers. The company’s history of dominance in endurance racing, particularly at the Le Mans 24 Hours, is a testament to its ability to adapt and succeed in new categories. In 1999, Audi made its debut at Le Mans with the R8R and R8C, finishing third and fourth overall despite mechanical issues. The following year, they achieved a historic 1-2-3 victory, with Tom Kristensen claiming his first of seven Le Mans wins with Audi.
Audi’s success extends beyond Le Mans, with victories in the Dakar Rally and Formula E. In 2024, Carlos Sainz Sr. guided Audi to its first Dakar win, marking the first time an electric-powered machine had won the event. In Formula E, Audi was one of the leading teams in the early years, with Lucas di Grassi winning the first-ever FE race and claiming the drivers’ title in season three. The team also won the teams’ title in 2018 before withdrawing from the series in 2021.
Audi’s CEO, Gernot Dollner, has acknowledged that winning in F1 will not be easy, but the team is committed to success. With a target of 2030 for a championship challenge, Audi is not underestimating the scale of the task ahead. However, their history suggests that they have the ability to adapt and succeed in new categories. The top F1 teams, including McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes, should be concerned about Audi’s entry into the sport. With their own power unit and a proven track record of success, Audi is coming to F1 with a clear intention to win. As their history has shown, they are not a team to be underestimated, and their arrival in F1 is likely to shake up the established order.