Alongside Cadillac, 2026 also brought a second new manufacturer name to the Formula One grid, though this one arrived through transformation rather than an entirely new operation. The long-running Sauber team has completed its transition into a full Audi works entry, both as a constructor and as an engine manufacturer.
A Multi-Year Transition
Unlike Cadillac's from-scratch build, Audi's move into Formula One has been a gradual process, built on top of an existing, experienced racing organization based in Switzerland. This approach allowed Audi to inherit years of operational infrastructure and staff experience while gradually integrating its own engineering priorities and branding ahead of a full works debut in 2026.
An Experienced-Led Driver Lineup
For its first season as a full works team, Audi paired an experienced senior driver with a promising younger talent who impressed in the previous season, a common formula for a team going through significant technical transition. The idea is straightforward: an experienced driver provides steady, comparable feedback during a difficult development period, while a younger driver represents the team's longer-term future.
Why a Manufacturer Wants In
Audi's entry reflects a broader pattern of automotive manufacturers viewing Formula One's new power unit regulations as newly relevant to their own technology priorities, particularly given the sport's shift toward a much more significant electric power contribution. A modern hybrid power unit built for outright performance under extreme conditions offers a demanding testing ground for technology that can inform a manufacturer's wider engineering work.
A Pivotal First Season
Because the team is still completing its transition into a fully integrated works operation, 2026 is widely viewed as a foundational year rather than a season where major results should be expected, with the focus firmly on building the technical and organizational base for future competitiveness.