Audi expands its Motorsport center for the F1 project

The arrival of Audi in Formula 1 is working. If it is expected that in 2026, the year of the future engine regulations, the German manufacturer has already started work in its factories across the Rhine. Indeed, the Ingolstadt (Germany) brand has announced the expansion of its Competence Center Motorsport located in Neuburg an der Danube (Germany).

Within the new building of more than 3 square meters which will be built, Audi will notably install new test benches for the development of its engine intended for Formula 000. Opened in 1, the Competence Center Motorsport is considered as " one of the most modern of its kind ". On site, the manufacturer with the rings manages all the operations of its motorsport department, whether for the official or customer teams. This center was also the birthplace of the RS Q e-tron used in the Dakar but especially of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, victorious three times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2012 to 2014).

« With the Competence Center Motorsport we have an ideal basis for our Formula 1 project, underlines Oliver Hoffmann, member of the supervisory board of Audi AG and head of the F1 program. The factory was designed from the ground up to be capable of handling demanding competition projects. This anticipation is paying off.

With the already existing facilities, we were able to start the Formula 1 project immediately. The expansion will provide us with the necessary infrastructure for the long-term development of our F1 power unit. The expansion of the building and the installation of state-of-the-art test benches offer our team the best possible conditions for success in the premier category of motorsport.."

Audi foot to the floor

Audi, which will be associated with Sauber for the chassis part, also announces that its future powertrain composed of an energy recovery system, an electric motor, a battery, a combustion engine high efficiency and transmission will be entirely developed and built on site.

Called F7.2, this new building will be “ constructed at the southwest end of the existing building complex on a previously unused area and will be connected to building F7 by an enclosed bridge. » In addition to the test benches, the German manufacturer plans to install technical rooms and a mechanical workshop in addition to opening positions for around 60 employees in addition to the 220 already recruited since the formalization of its arrival in Formula 1 last August. In total, the Germans are aiming for 300 employees by mid-2023.

The end of the construction site for the extension of Competence Center Motorsport is planned for the first quarter of 2024. In the meantime, part of the new building should be operational from next March.

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