Audi announced their entry into Formula 1 as a Power Unit supplier starting in 2026 but they won't be going it their own way as an 11th entry, instead, they have been dangling the project up and down the paddock, with Sauber emerging as the most likely choice.
By their own admission, the German manufacturer, part of the Volkswagen Group, have had "interesting discussions with several teams" which is no surprise as one would expect every team or wannabe team to tap up Audi now that their PU is out the bag.
If I were Merc or Ferrari or RBR, I would even set up a fake team to go listen in on the plans. In other words no surprise they are being courted by many in the F1 paddock and fringes thereof. The question is are they in demand?
Consider that they are announcing their supply intentions but have yet to sign a customer... for me that has a suspicious air to it which I cannot put my finger on. Why not wait until a partner or partners are confirmed?
What we know now we knew for months before the press conference; today it's official but there's nothing new to report. A week, a month or more until a partnership or two were struck would not have made a difference.
Furthermore, should Audi take their F1 project to Hinwil, with Sauber and Alfa Romeo disentangling as I write, why not wait a little longer?
Nevertheless, after months, or is it years of speculation Audi would enter F1, on Friday on the fringes of the Belgian Grand Prix there was a press conference to confirm the news, in attendance were Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board AUDI AG, Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board for Technical Development who answered questions in the company of F1 Chief Stefano Domenicali and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA.
To cut a helluva long story short: Audi are in F1 as an engine supplier as of 2026
This is all good and dandy but, as yet, Audi do not have a customer or partner for their ambitious project, triggered by favourable rules for a more relevant sport for the next era.
Conclusion. No big deal. The whole announcement had a very downscale vibe about it as the heavy hitters - Domenicali and Ben Sulayem - as expected welcomed the news while Duesmann and Hoffmann gave details of their plans.
Which in summary is to seek an existing team or a new team for their PUs to forge a partnership with. Sauber appears to be the best bet to partner because McLaren-Audi sounds dreadful and that one is apparently not going to happen.
Aston Martin, Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Alpine won't be powered by Audi!
That leaves AlphaTauri which is joined at the hip with Red Bull, so strike them off the list. Likewise Haas are committed to Ferrari, but who knows with them?
Then there is Williams which is perhaps not as attractive as Sauber whose base in Switzerland is closer to Germany, and have history working with BMW during their foray in F1.
But these are B-Division teams, which are hardly going to make an impact for Audi's involvement. Couple to that the fact Duesmann confirmed there was no need to make a profit with the venture, suggesting its a marketing exercise when the auditors come knocking.
But what marketing value will a midfield or worse back-of-the-pack Sauber powered by Audi, or Williams-Audi or Haas-Audi be for the German manufacturer?
If Andretti Global ever needed a partner to enter F1 Audi is the one
No surprise if Michael and Mario are on the phone to the decision makers because and Andretti-Audi 11th team makes perfect sense now.
While some with agendas wickedly questioned the value Andretti brings to the sport, if Andretti-Audi spawns from this announcement, that is a partnership whose credentials can now no longer be questioned.
A-A F1 Team would be a big thing, especially for Audi in the United States market and of course the Andretti organisation who are gearing up for the future with a state-of-the-art HQ.
But in the end, Audi coming in as an engine supplier is taking on F1 with a whimper rather than heart and soul.
While F1 has to welcome their arrival, after years of denial they finally see the relevance of F1, albeit from 2026 onwards, but it has to be said it's disappointing they are not going for it on their own as the Audi F1 Team.
While they denied they would do it alone, things change so rapidly in F1 that Audi bean counters may do the maths again, come to the obvious conclusion and go solo. Time will tell. That would be a super first-prize turnaround if it did happen.
With Alfa-Romeo title sponsorship ending their association with Sauber at the end of 2023, the Audi marriage is sure to be announced soon.
Meanwhile, for now Andretti-Audi has such a good ring to it, that it would be sacrilege for the partnership not to happen, maybe as Audi's second team, if it doesn't and Williams or Haas are the Audi choice, then the headline question pertains:
Welcome to F1 Audi but go big or go home!
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