Audi verdict on F1 debut results

Audi team principal Mattia Binotto has cast his verdict on the team’s start to the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Sauber became the Audi factory team in F1 over the winter months, following a restructuring exercise that stretched back to 2022, when the Swiss team was selected as a strategic partner for the manufacturer’s entry.

However, in 2023 – then racing as Alfa Romeo -, the team dropped to ninth in the constructors’ standings, with 16 points. Things got worse still the following year, with just four points scored – a blank season avoided only by Zhou Guanyu’s eighth place in Qatar.

But 2025 saw Sauber steadily improve after a difficult start, registering 70 points. While a significant portion came from Nico Hulkenberg’s unlikely maiden podium at the British Grand Prix, the progress was evident.

Now Audi, the team has made a slightly slower start with two points scored, but has been a constant threat to the top 10 in both qualifying and race sessions. Given the team has developed its own power unit to battle established marques Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda, the early pace is to be applauded.

"I would have signed for it," Binotto told F1.com when assessing results so far.

"Getting it wrong can be very easy as well. Some teams are on the back[foot].

"There is nothing fundamentally wrong with our car and our project, which is the most important because once you've got something which is fundamentally wrong, then you need to catch up and address it.

"You are spending a lot of energy, time, capacity and budget from the budget cap to address fundamentals. While I think we do not have fundamental issues, we can concentrate really on our projects to move forward on the next steps."

With the first three flyaway rounds in Australia, China and Japan condensed into a four-week period, teams had little time to reflect on the learnings of each weekend.

But with the unscheduled spring break across April, the entire grid is expected to bring significant upgrades to Miami, with Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur suggesting this could result in a ‘new championship’.

"That race preparation has been very time-consuming for us,” added Binotto.

“Once you are absorbed completely by race preparation, you can't develop as you wish, so I think that April off, which is not an off obviously, will be very important for us to rejoin, refocus on what are the next developments, and make sure that we are not only fixing problems but developing properly."