Knock Hammer! Audi Officially Joins F1 2026 As Engine Supplier

Audi officially joins F1 starting in 2026. (Photo: Instagram @f1)

JAKARTA - German car manufacturer Audi will join the Formula 1 World Championship (F1) starting from the 2026 season as a supplier of engines or power units.

Audi Board Chairman Markus Duesmann confirmed the news on Friday, August 26. He ensured that the Audi company was officially registered as an engine manufacturer in F1.

Audi has not disclosed whether to run its own team, as expected or to supply only the engines.

"Racing is in Audi's DNA. If you think about Le Mans, DTM, and Formula E, we have always been very active and very successful", said Duesmann, reported by BBC Sport.

"We want to continue this success story in F1", he added.

The decision to join F1 was made by Audi because of new rules that prioritized improvements in electrical components in the engine and fully sustainable fuel.

Audi will only announce the team joining them at the end of this year. Including the possibility of hiring Sauber, which is a constructor for Alfa Romeo at this time.

"This is a huge moment for our sport that highlights the great strength we have as a global platform that continues to evolve", said F1 President Stefano Domenicali.

“It is also a great acknowledgment that our move to sustainable fuel hybrid engines in 2026 is the solution of the future for the automotive sector. We are all looking forward to seeing the Audi logo on the grid and will hear more details from them."

In 2026, F1 will continue with the 1.6-liter turbo hybrid engine. However, they will make significant changes from those used since 2014.

Hybrid elements will supply more than 50 percent of the overall power. It follows F1's move to ditch the MGU-H in the engine rules and decide to use sustainable synthetic fuels.

Apart from Audi, automakers Volkswagen (VW) and Porsche are also expected to enter F1 in 2026 as engine partners of Red Bull.