Audi’s F1 Power Unit Development Hailed as "Second to None" by Veteran Engineer Rob Smedley

Neuburg an der Donau, Germany – Veteran Formula 1 race engineer Rob Smedley has delivered a resounding endorsement of Audi’s burgeoning power unit facility, describing the German manufacturer’s engine department as unparalleled within the sport. The declaration underscores the scale of Audi’s ambition and investment as it prepares for its full factory entry into Formula 1 in 2026.

Smedley, renowned for his tenure as a race engineer at Ferrari, particularly with Felipe Massa, shared his insights on the "High Performance Racing" podcast. Appearing alongside host Jake Humphrey and former Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer, Smedley offered an evaluation of the grid’s technical progress during the first half of the current season. While acknowledging the steep learning curve facing Sauber – the operation Audi is acquiring – Smedley pointed directly to the immense quality and scope of Audi’s powertrain investment as a significant factor in their future prospects.

"Sauber, I mean, they were pretty desperate these last two or three years. They were just awful, there’s no other word for it," Smedley commented, reflecting on the team’s recent struggles. This candid assessment highlighted the substantial transformation required as the Swiss-based outfit transitions into a full works team under the Audi banner.

Szafnauer interjected, noting that even during these challenging years, Audi’s increasing ownership stake meant the team benefited from robust financial backing and a respectable infrastructure, including a well-regarded wind tunnel. Smedley concurred with the latter point, adding, "They’ve always had a very good wind tunnel, or have for a long time. But now, if you look at their facility in Germany, the engine facility, the power unit facility, that is second to none, and they’re still building and still going on it."

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This statement from a figure with Smedley’s extensive experience, having worked at the pinnacle of F1 engineering for decades, carries considerable weight. It suggests that Audi’s commitment in its Neuburg an der Donau base, where its dedicated Formula 1 power unit development is concentrated, meets or even exceeds the benchmarks set by established F1 engine manufacturers such as Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains, Ferrari, and Red Bull Powertrains.

Audi’s Ambitious Entry and the 2026 Regulations

Audi’s decision to enter Formula 1 as a factory team in 2026 represents one of the most significant new commitments to the sport in recent memory. The German automotive giant is acquiring a controlling stake in the Sauber Group, which currently operates as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, with the goal of rebranding and fully integrating by the 2026 season. This move will see Audi not only develop its own chassis but, crucially, design and manufacture its own power unit, a complex and costly undertaking that demands world-class facilities.

The timing of Audi’s entry aligns with a fundamental overhaul of Formula 1’s technical regulations, particularly concerning power units. The 2026 regulations are designed to be more sustainable, featuring a significant increase in electrical power (up to 350kW from 120kW), a move to 100% sustainable fuels, and the removal of the costly and complex MGU-H component. These changes aim to make the sport more relevant to road car technology and attract new manufacturers. For Audi, this regulatory reset presents a unique opportunity to enter on a relatively level playing field for engine development, minimizing the disadvantage of joining a long-established competitive landscape. Smedley’s observation regarding the "second to none" facility highlights Audi’s proactive and aggressive approach to mastering these new regulations.

The Sauber Transition: Current Performance and Future Drivers

While Audi’s power unit efforts are based in Germany, the chassis development and racing operations will continue to be centered at Sauber’s long-standing headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland. Smedley acknowledged that the Hinwil facility "leaves maybe a little bit to be desired" in its current state as a Formula 1 facility. However, he quickly added, "But they’re expanding that, and there are plans of where they want to go with it. So, this is a really important project for them." This indicates a dual investment strategy: building an elite power unit facility from the ground up in Germany while simultaneously upgrading and expanding the existing chassis and race operations infrastructure in Switzerland.

The current performance of the Sauber team underscores the challenges that lie ahead, even with Audi’s significant backing. In the ongoing 2024 Formula 1 season, after 12 rounds, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber currently holds zero points in the constructors’ championship, reflecting a period of struggle. Their current driver lineup, consisting of Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou, has faced difficulties in extracting consistent performance from their C44 chassis.

Looking ahead to the Audi era, the team has already begun to shape its future driver lineup. For the 2025 season, which will serve as a crucial transitional year before the full Audi rebrand, the team has confirmed Nico Hulkenberg, currently with Haas, and rising star Gabriel Bortoleto, the reigning Formula 2 champion. Hulkenberg, a seasoned veteran with extensive F1 experience across multiple teams, brings a wealth of development expertise and a robust understanding of racecraft. His role will be critical in guiding the team through its final year as Sauber and laying the groundwork for Audi’s debut. Bortoleto, on the other hand, represents the future, a young talent earmarked for long-term integration into the Audi project. His progression through the junior categories and his championship success in F2 suggest significant potential, aligning with Audi’s long-term vision for success.

Investment and the Road Ahead

The "huge project" Smedley refers to encompasses not just state-of-the-art facilities but also the recruitment of top-tier talent. Audi Sport has been aggressively building its F1 division, attracting experienced engineers and technical staff from across the motorsport landscape. The commitment extends beyond hardware, focusing on cultivating a winning culture and the intellectual capital necessary to compete at the highest level of global motorsport.

The F1 grid is notoriously competitive, with established powerhouses like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull (now with its own powertrain division) setting incredibly high benchmarks. For a new entrant, even one with Audi’s financial might and engineering pedigree, the path to success is arduous. The integration of the power unit developed in Germany with the chassis engineered in Switzerland, along with the optimization of operational procedures, will be key to Audi’s competitiveness.

The upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza, scheduled from September 4-6, represents the 13th round of the current F1 season. While the current Sauber team continues its fight for points, the wider focus within the F1 paddock increasingly turns to the future. Rob Smedley’s strong commendation of Audi’s power unit facility serves as a powerful signal of intent, suggesting that the German manufacturer is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to establish itself as a formidable force in Formula 1 from 2026 onwards. The foundations for a competitive future appear to be firmly in place, built on an investment philosophy that prioritizes excellence from the ground up.

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Jonas Leo

Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

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