Audi launches its driver development program

Just a few days after unveiling the R26, its first car de Formula 1Audi is launching its driver development program. A common practice in the sport, the project aims to identify and then train the talents of the future. This initiative will be led by Allan McNish, himself a former Formula 1 driver and three-time winner of the... 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The launch of a development program appears to be essential in the team's long-term strategy, which aims to build a structure capable of targeting world titles by 2030.

“Investing in the champions of tomorrow is a cornerstone of our Formula 1 strategy,” commented Jonathan Wheatley, Audi Revolut F1 Team Director, via the official announcement. The Audi Driver Development program is a clear statement of our long-term commitment to young talent and our ambition to be competitive. With Allan McNish, we have a director who not only has an exceptional background in motorsport, but who also embodies the spirit and rigor of our organization. Under his leadership, this program will be fully aligned with our vision for 2030: to build a winning team and shape the future of Audi in Formula 1.

Allan McNish at the head of the program

Program members will benefit from comprehensive training and support that will focus on on-track performance, technical and physical development, mental preparation, as well as communication and marketing.

The appointment of Allan McNish as team principal is a tribute to his career as an Audi driver, with whom he competed eleven times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, securing two victories with the four-ringed marque. This legacy, combined with his recent experience managing a team for the brand, in Formula E, made him "The ideal candidate." 

“Having the responsibility of finding the talent for the future Audi Revolut F1 Team is a tremendous honor, and a mission that deeply excites me,” Allan McNish then confided. We're not just looking for raw speed, but also the resilience, intelligence, and teamwork that define a future Audi champion. Our goal is to build a pathway that transforms potential into precision and performance on the world stage. I'm very excited to begin this work and identify the first generation of talent who will join this ambitious project.

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