Friday 31st March 2017 - NCC Audi Sport bosses Wolfgang Ulrich and Stefan Winklemann have announced Friday evening that they have signed an agreement to join the F1 field in time for the 2018 season. The newly formed team intend to start off as a works outfit and are believed to have bought assets including the racing licence from the now defunct Manor team, who went bust at the end of 2016. It is not clear what personel will be put in place in major positions to start the project but early bookies indications have want away spaniard Fernando Alonso and German Sebastian Vettel as favorites to drive for the long awaited new marque in the sport. Audi have an interesting past in motorsport with recent success in the WEC series and also vested participation in Formula E but it has been long speculated they have a desire for the top racing championship in which they last raced before Formula one was formed in 1939. Back then they enjoyed a great rivalry with fellow German brand Mercedes who have had recent success in the last few years at the hands of Lewis Hamilton. With an entry date of 2018 they revealed in a special press conference they have actually been developing an F1 ready power unit for the past 4 years and intended to enter earlier. Ulrich also said "We will start testing proper of our mk#1 PU straped to a mule LMP car (believed to be the canned 2018 car) which should give us some pretty close reliable data. We have some test days ready booked for the end of may/june", he also added "We have a plan that is advanced in motion and we are looking forward to revealing more exciting details and partnerships in the coming weeks.". Early rumours are suggesting Total will be a prime backer in the project after being absent from 2017 liveries with changes Mobil Red Bull and Castrol/BP Renault respectively. Woah
Exciting news. I can't see Vettel going for it, but maybe Alonso will if he's totally lost patience with McHonda. The next few years could turn into a golden age for PU competition. Audi, Ferrari, Mercedes & maybe Renault too. (Yes, I know, I missed one.)
Wow I can't help thinking that if they are that ready they missed a trick not floating manor and running the engine for a year in F1 trim, but even so it's exciting news.
If this story is still in the official press tomorrow, then I'll believe its not a April fools prank!
"I'd quit if it meant Audi would join f1" said now ex-supremo Bernie Ecclestone. As for April fool, I think the story is 2 or 3 days old.
Great question isn’t it? You’d imagine it has to be - surely? However, you’ve got the added complexity of this RBR power trains department that has bought Hondas IP badging their work as Porsche?! (unless Honda cancelled this as part of them continuing the supply and support this year?)
if Porche are going to rebadge the RBPowerTrain/Honda then whats stopping them doing that sooner and maybe some on car sponsorship like Aston Martin did a few years back? Also what about Alpha Tauri? They say Audi will likely buy into an existing team? would it make sense to buy AT?
You might be on to something there. That might be a good plan. With 'Porsche PU' in the Red Bull and AT as Audi with their own PU (maybe using Honda's IP?) that could be a good way to start.
Porche have announced they are supplying the Andetti FE team on a long term deal from next season. I wonder if a future Andretti F1 team could strike a similar deal
If we learned anything from the Honda years with McLaren, it’s that multi team supply is a massive advantage and can speed up development! Be a great call to power Andretti who will have low expectations to begin with, and use their data to ensure competitive PU for Red Bull and any other(s)