Nico Hulkenberg, the renowned Formula 1 driver, is buzzing with excitement after his recent visit to Audi’s F1 project headquarters in Neuburg. The German racer, who is set to lead the Audi factory team in 2026, expressed his admiration for the progress made on the 2026 hybrid power unit during his visit.
Hulkenberg, who signed with Sauber in 2024 before their transformation into an Audi factory team, was given an exclusive tour of the facility by Audi Formula Racing CEO Adam Baker and Chief Technical Officer Stefan Dreyer. Impressed by what he saw, Hulkenberg praised Audi’s dedication to the F1 project, highlighting the precision and passion of the team members working on the development of the power unit.
The Competence Center Motorsport in Neuburg has been at the forefront of Audi’s F1 endeavors, with a state-of-the-art 3,000 square meter building dedicated to engine development. Recent updates reveal that Audi has already achieved significant milestones in the testing of the power unit, with successful simulations of race distances on the dyno tests.
CEO Adam Baker commended the team’s hard work and collaboration in integrating the various components of the power unit seamlessly. The in-house development of the complete power unit, including the energy recovery system, electric motor, battery, combustion engine, and transmission, showcases Audi’s commitment to excellence in F1.
While the power unit is taking shape in Neuburg, the chassis development is underway in Hinwil, Switzerland, leveraging Sauber’s existing infrastructure. The synergy between the two locations is propelling the Audi F1 project forward, with Hulkenberg at the helm eagerly anticipating the future successes of the team.
With groundbreaking developments and a stellar team behind the project, Audi’s foray into Formula 1 under Hulkenberg’s leadership is poised to make waves in the motorsport world. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling journey towards F1 glory.