Nico Hulkenberg Impressed by Audi’s F1 Project Progress

German racing driver, Nico Hulkenberg, has expressed his admiration after exploring Audi’s ambitious Formula 1 project at the Neuburg facility. The development of the 2026 hybrid power unit is in full swing here. Having joined Audi’s project at the beginning of this season, Hulkenberg was given a tour by Audi Formula Racing CEO, Adam Baker, and Chief Technical Officer, Stefan Dreyer.

A Glimpse into Audi’s State-of-the-art Facility

I am impressed by what I have seen,” Hulkenberg confirmed. “The facility demonstrates how seriously Audi takes Formula 1.” Every aspect of Audi’s motorsport endeavors has been executed with precision, and after being guided through the factory by Adam [Baker] and Stefan [Dryer], Hulkenberg is excited by the progress the team has made on the 2026 power unit.

It was a pleasure for him to engage with the people in Neuburg and feel their unwavering passion. They are all working tirelessly and with dedication to make this project a success. Hulkenberg feels privileged to be part of this journey and looks forward to the years ahead.

Audi’s Progress on the 2026 Power Unit

This enthusiasm comes after he signed with Sauber in April of 2024 on a multi-year contract, with the outfit set to transform into an Audi factory team in 2026, with Hulkenberg at the helm. The facility that impressed Hulkenberg is at the heart of the project. The Competence Center Motorsport has been specifically expanded for its F1 development, with a new 3,000 square metre building housing its engine development equipment.

According to recent updates, Audi has already simulated a race distance in dyno tests. Adam Baker, CEO of Audi Formula Racing, reported that the team is successful so far in its work. “After just two years, our power unit, consisting of a combustion engine, electric motor, battery and control electronics, is running dynamically on the test bench,” he said.

Successfully merging the various components into a single unit is the result of hard work and great teamwork. The Audi Power Unit has already covered simulated race distances on the test bench. They have gained a lot of testing time with the individual components in 2023 and were able to incorporate the experience gained into the next construction stages in parallel.

Significant milestones and goals have been achieved, which gives the entire team a good feeling. The complete power unit, including the energy recovery system, electric motor, battery, combustion engine, and transmission, is being developed in-house at Neuburg, but the project is operating from two locations. The chassis is being developed in Hinwil, Switzerland, where the current Sauber team is based, utilizing its existing infrastructure.