​Audi boss Mattia Binotto has laid out an ambitious target: to contend for the Formula 1 world championship by 2030, as the new entrant looks to build from a steady start after taking Sauber’s seat on the grid for 2026. Nine rounds into the season, the German marque sits ninth in the standings with six points scored by sophomore driver Gabriel Bortoleto. Although Nico Hülkenberg, the experienced teammate, has yet to add to the points tally, Audi has demonstrated competitiveness by reaching Q2 in every race and advancing into Q3 on three occasions. This progress provides a sturdy foundation to extend over the coming years, with the aim of aligning with the next regulation cycle planned for 2031.
“We’ve actually set a goal that goes well beyond 2026 and 2027,” Binotto told Motorsport. “Our target is 2030: we want to build a team capable of competing for the world championship.” He emphasized that milestones will mark the journey, with 2028 likely representing a significant step forward in quality. “Thus, I view 2026 and 2027 as construction years rather than years judged solely on race results. Right now, I’m most focused on the growth of the company. A little over a hundred people work at the track, but behind the scenes there are around 1,400 people contributing daily to the chassis and power unit.”
Binotto added that often the public only sees the on-track team, while the project’s true essence lies in the broader organization. “The track is the icing on the cake, but first we must bake the cake.” Over the next two years, he said, the most important outcomes will be the growth of the organization itself. It is clear, he noted, where the R26 must improve: the power unit. At Silverstone, both Bortoleto and Hülkenberg found themselves at the back of the speed trap during qualifying. Recent ADUO results also indicate that Audi, based on ICE power, lags behind the benchmark set by Red Bull Ford by more than 4%, which has given the team two engine upgrade tokens. Audi expects these upgrades to bring the power unit up to speed with the already strong chassis, which Bortoleto claimed in Austria is on par with Mercedes and other top contenders.
Regarding the power unit, Binotto acknowledged a late start due to the development of entirely new skills and knowledge: “I’m not surprised about the power unit. It’s a long-term project, and I’m convinced Audi will have a top-notch unit within a couple of seasons.” On the chassis, however, he is very satisfied. “We began building this project a couple of years ago, and today we are starting to see the first results. What this team has achieved already represents a major success and gives me confidence for the future.”