For now they are, but the price will drop massively in the years to come, just as batteries have. Will the be as cheap as petrol? Doubtful. But they'll become cheap enough for gear heads to enjoy their supercar beasts.
I don't mind the MGU-K. It's been used since 2009 with the V-8's and is the most reliable of the hybrid system.
Agreed, or anyone with a naturally aspirated, turbocharged or supercharged engine. Hopefully NHRA uses it in the future.
They made F1 cars weigh 600kg with the MGU-H & MGU-K in 2014 and the cars were smaller in length and width. They can do it again.
I know the PU has been a point of debate, but so many F1 cars today just look fugly. I can deal with a powerful car that's also elegant and sexy, even if it's quiet when racing. Did this car scream? Nope. Quiet as a mouse. Yet, it could be thrown around the corners like the F2002. More of this, please. D Image Unavailable, Please Login
My "ideal" F1 looks increasingly like a Formula E these days. I like covered wheels on a racing car; I find they give more an impression of speed than the horrible shape of today's F1.
More rumours, from France this time: 'Audi pulls plug on F1 project: Porsche as possible successor' 'Audi pulls plug on F1 project: Porsche as possible successor' (gpblog.com)
Objectively, given the focus on E-power trans why bother with F1. Its a series that is slowly lacking a future. Formula E is a better platform to develop E power is it not? Rumor yes but if the defender of F1 at Audi has left, we all know how swiftly Corporate brands change course and drop projects. Maybe there is hope for Andretti lol. Ben Sulayem can go hold his hand on the way to buy Sauber...........or attempt to again lol
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/audis-f1-project-under-fresh-uncertainty-as-senior-figure-faces-exit/10578560/ Audi’s F1 project under fresh uncertainty as senior figure faces exit Audi’s Formula 1 project is facing fresh uncertainty amid indications that one of the key figures behind its entry into grand prix racing looks set to leave the German manufacturer. Just a few months after CEO Markus Duesmann, regarded as the key advocate for its F1 project, left the company, it now appears that one of its other architects, chief development officer Oliver Hoffmann, is also set to move on. Hoffmann's long-term contract as CDO had been extended as recently as last year, but according to a report in the German Bild newspaper, he could be forced out of the company. The reason for his departure is said to be a difference of views with current Audi CEO Gernot Dollner over the future of the company. Hoffmann is also blamed for the fact that Audi is struggling with sluggish sales figures, and that the models planned under his direction have either not been as successful as hoped or had been repeatedly postponed. It is understood that the Audi Supervisory Board is due to discuss the Hoffmann issue on Thursday, after which the Volkswagen Group's Supervisory Board could have the final say at the beginning of March. A potential change could have implications for Audi’s F1 plan, with it believed that Dollner wants to move Hoffmann to the grand prix project.
Audi set to complete Sauber F1 takeover Audi is poised to complete its takeover of the Sauber Formula 1 operation, underlining its commitment to a 2026 entry despite recent managerial changes and board-level hesitation. Autosport sister website Motorsport-Total.com understands the manufacturer has completed the next stage of its Sauber takeover, with Audi board member Oliver Hoffmann appointed as a Sauber director above CEO and ex-McLaren F1 team principal Andreas Seidl. Audi announced its plans to enter a works team in F1 from 2026 at the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix in a presentation led by Markus Duesmann and Hoffmann. But Duesman was replaced as Audi CEO late last year and successor Gernot Dollner is reputedly far more sceptical about an F1 attack. Hoffmann, the firm’s chief development officer and F1 advocate, was also reportedly set to be sidelined as he took the blame for road car models being postponed and for sluggish sales figures. This increased speculation that Audi was getting cold feet and could even consider selling the nascent F1 project. However, those rumours have now been largely dispelled. Having taken over 25% of Sauber in early 2023, it is now believed that Audi will complete its transaction with Sauber owner Finn Rausing. While a 75% stake was initially circulated, Bild and Bloomberg report that Audi will realise a 100% takeover. On Wednesday, ahead of the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP, Seidl is said to have appeared before the team in Jeddah and confirmed to employees that Audi's acquisition has now entered the final stage.
I am rather looking forward to that team arriving in F1 in 2026. I don't expect miracles immediatly, but within a few years, they should be a fighting force.
Audi confirms takeover of Sauber; appoints Seidl as F1 CEO Audi has formally confirmed plans to accelerate its takeover of the Sauber Formula 1 team, ahead of the German manufacturer’s entry into grand prix racing in 2026.
They have to start designing the 2026 car from the beginning of next year, so AUDI needs to have their technical department in place by then. Sauber used to have good facilities, but maybe they need to be updated too. Their powertrains will be made in Germany.
So now they want to win in 5 years not 3 lol. After 3 years of bad results expect a full review. 5 years. F1 will merge with FE by then Via BBC F1: How good will Audi be in 2026, and what does it mean for the driver market? Last week, Audi announced it was accelerating its F1 plans and planning a complete takeover of Sauber. You can take this as an indication that Audi recognises it needs to get serious about its F1 entry, and that it understands how much work it has to do to turn Sauber into a competitive entity. Its initial aim was to be competing for races and championships within three years of entry. I'm hearing that, internally, the company now accepts five years is a more realistic timetable. But investment is already increasing, staff levels have gone up considerably in the last year, and you can be certain of one thing - Audi is deadly serious about winning in F1.
I smile that someone at Audi openly gives a timescale to reach success in F1. I find it ridiculous. Many have come to regret predicting when they would start winning. Recently, Alpine was recently shaken by several resignations caused by the Renault management pressuring them to reach unrealistic targets in development.
My first thoughts reading the BBC today was how great Toyota was with such a large budget lol. I have zero faith in Audi in F1. This is not WEC at all.
I can't say that I have no faith in Audi, but I fear they may be too "corporate" for F1. Honda, and Toyota never succeeded as teams for the reason that their top management interfered too much. F1 teams seem to work better when they are independant from a constructor. Let's not forget that Sauber was once part of BMW Motorsport, and it didn't work.
I said the same thing about Mercedes and for many years I was right. Until they bought AMG and a "garagiste" team from the UK started to run the show. Audi has a harder time replicating this since their base is Switzerland.
