Audi has begun construction of an extension to its engine facility where the manufacturer will build its Formula 1 power units.
A new, 3,000 square metre facility is being built at Audi’s Competence Center Motorsport in Neuberg an der Donau. Building F7.2 (shown above) will house new test benches for developing the hybrid turbo power unit which Audi will compete with in Formula 1 from 2026.Audi is also expanding the workforce which will develop and build the energy recovery system, electric motor, battery, combustion engine and transmission. It has already recruited around 220 staff for its F1 project and intends to have over 300 by the middle of next year. They will be able to make use of some parts of the new building as early as March.
Audi Formula Racing GmbH was founded to run the F1 project. Its managing director Adam Baker said: “Developing a power unit for the world’s most demanding racing series in Germany is a great challenge. We already have a great team at our facility in Neuburg an der Donau that is growing all of the time.”
The Competence Center Motorsport opened in 2014. Past racing Audis built at the site include the Le Mans 24 Hours-winning R18 e-tron quattro hybrid, RS 5 DTM car and Audi’s Formula E machines. The site is less than 300 kilometres from Hinwil, where its chassis partner Sauber is based.
Don't miss anything new from RaceFans
Follow RaceFans on social media:
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2022 F1 season
- Mercedes told me “you’re wrong” about 2022 car’s problems – Hamilton
- FIA confirms all 10 F1 teams complied with 2022 cost cap
- Steiner “not ashamed” of panning “slow” Schumacher in Drive to Survive
- Albon believes year out of F1 improved him as a driver
- Hamilton sees diversity gains in F1 years on from his ‘traumatising’ experience of racism
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
2nd December 2022, 14:10
The logical move now for Audi now is to hire someone with the necessary experience to oversee the development of their PU. Binotto has been involved forever in F1 engine development and was already responsible for the KERS system when it first come up in 2009. He has been the head of PU department since 2014 and led the renaissance of Ferrari. He was also involved in the writing of the 2026 engine regulations and surely has an idea of Ferrari development plans.
Audi hiring Binotto is a no brainer for me but it must be in a technical role and preferably limited to PU development.
BasCB (@bascb)
2nd December 2022, 17:12
Yeah, that would be an obvious choice @tifoso1989
Mark in Florida
2nd December 2022, 18:21
Yeah, keep Binotto at the factory and it would work out fine. Track side not so much.
praxis (@praxis)
2nd December 2022, 19:53
If Binotto takes up the offer to head Audi’s PU division, then the rumour of him getting fired would be wrong, no?