Adam Baker, CEO of Audi Formulation Racing GmbH, and CTO Stefan Dreyer give an replace on progress with the German producer’s engine, resulting from be part of the F1 grid in 2026.
Work on the facility unit for Audi’s Formulation 1 entry has been underway for greater than two years. The specifically created Audi Formulation Racing GmbH (AFR) in Neuburg a. d. Donau is accountable for the event of the F1 hybrid drive (“Energy Unit”) and has efficiently accomplished the set-up part.
Along with the Hinwil facility, the staff from Neuburg will kind the longer term manufacturing facility staff with which Audi will compete from 2026. The Audi F1 Energy Unit “Made in Germany” is making nice progress behind closed doorways and AFR CEO Adam Baker and AFR CTO Stefan Dreyer have offered an perception into the present standing.
Work on the event of the Audi Energy Unit for Formulation 1 has been underway on the Neuburg facility since spring 2022. What has been achieved up to now?Adam Baker: After simply two years, our Energy Unit, consisting of a combustion engine, electrical motor, battery and management electronics, is operating dynamically on the check bench. Efficiently marrying the assorted parts right into a single unit is the results of laborious work and nice teamwork. The Audi Energy Unit has already lined simulated race distances on the check bench. We gained lots of testing time with the person parts in 2023 and have been in a position to incorporate the expertise gained into the subsequent building phases in parallel. Important milestones and targets have been achieved, which provides your complete staff a very good feeling.
Stefan Dreyer: We carried out a really formidable modernization and enlargement of our check facility. At this time, we have now 22 state-of-the-art check benches on the web site. Our new growth instruments are state-of-the-art and have enabled us to attain a steep studying curve. By testing on the check bench below simulated racing situations we achieve necessary insights on this part of the venture. After the profitable race distances with the Energy Unit we are going to quickly be doing the identical with your complete drive system, which suggests the mix of Energy Unit and transmission. On the similar time, we’re going full throttle with efficiency growth with a view to obtain the targets we have now set ourselves.
On which tracks has the Audi Energy Unit already been pushed? SD: We run the Energy Unit on the check bench with totally different layouts from the present F1 calendar, relying on the aim of the check. For instance, Las Vegas is fascinating for our growth staff by way of total power administration. A number of alternating quick and sluggish corners and nearly two kilometres of full throttle driving on the Las Vegas Strip present the right growth setting for fine-tuning the combustion engine and the ERS (Power Restoration System) parts.
AB: Listening to the Audi Energy Unit being simulated right now on tracks like Spielberg, Singapore or Las Vegas, not solely offers everybody concerned goosebumps, but in addition offers us the sensation that we’re a giant step nearer to our first race in 2026.
How has the event division set itself up for this difficult venture? SD: It was significantly necessary to ascertain a broad base in all areas, to create a very good basis for the event of the person parts – combustion engine, electrical motor, battery, management electronics, software program – to coordinate them with one another at an early stage. Our expertise from earlier motorsport initiatives with high-voltage expertise, Le Mans, Formulation E, but in addition from the present Dakar venture, has helped us quite a bit. We now have already confirmed previously that we will develop standard, hybridized and purely electrical drivetrains. Nonetheless, the problem in Formulation 1 is a totally totally different one by way of cutting-edge expertise and competitors. This additionally applies to our companions and suppliers – we’re experiencing a really robust dedication from all sides.
Though the development in Neuburg has been accomplished, is the depth nonetheless growing? AB: There have been particular milestones nearly each month for the reason that begin of the venture in spring 2022, for instance the beginning of building for our infrastructure enlargement, the beginning of testing for the single-cylinder, the primary check bench run of the electrical motor and the V6 engine and the primary race distances with the entire Energy Unit. The truth that our total staff can absolutely think about the event of the Energy Unit for 2026 is a bonus for Audi. The remaining time till 2026 is all about attaining our growth targets by way of most total automobile efficiency with full focus. It can stay thrilling till the primary race – and after that, in fact, too.
SD: Depth is an efficient key phrase for our efficiency growth. The laws permit a complete of three check benches for single-cylinder assessments, for instance, which aren’t restricted by the FIA by way of working occasions. We use this most quantity on the facility as intensively as doable for the event of combustion processes for inside combustion engines. Thus far, we have now achieved all of the targets we set ourselves for efficiency and effectivity on this part. As well as, our gasoline growth has been operating since 2022 with a powerful companion who has a few years of expertise in Formulation 1. It is a actually decisive issue for our venture, as the brand new sustainable gasoline for 2026 could have even larger aggressive relevance.
A value cap has additionally been in place for the event of the Energy Unit since this 12 months. How can we think about day-to-day enterprise below the FIA’s value cap? AB: Like all different Formulation 1 groups and Energy Unit producers, we have been confronted with the problem of setting ourselves up accordingly. It is all about cost-cap effectivity and cost-cap conformity. One benefit was that we have been in a position to begin on a clean sheet of paper, so to talk, creating our personal firm, Audi Formulation Racing GmbH, for the venture. We had a transparent image of constructions, programs, processes and the appropriate mindset proper from the beginning. The subject of finance has a direct influence on efficiency because of the value cap. There has by no means been such a direct hyperlink between operational effectivity and sporting success in Formulation 1. The truth that we will function on the restrict of the price cap with PU growth places us on a par with our rivals.
How necessary was it to have the ability to fall again on an present infrastructure on the Neuburg web site?SD: The infrastructure created by Audi for motorsport in 2014 has been an excellent foundation. It has put us ready to begin Energy Unit growth in 2022. To adapt this infrastructure to the Formulation 1 use case, we constructed a brand new constructing for added check benches, state-of-the-art workshops and laboratories in parallel with our growth actions. All new check benches are actually in operation and allow us to proceed growth at full throttle.
For the primary time in recent times, an F1 Energy Unit is being developed in Germany once more. Was it troublesome to recruit staff for the Neuburg web site? AB: The native proximity to our mother or father firm Audi in Ingolstadt is a good benefit for us in some ways. There are lots of technical consultants within the area, particularly for the event of drivetrain parts. The opposite F1 Energy Unit producers are based mostly within the UK, France, Italy and Japan. If you wish to herald staff from rivals, they often have to maneuver to a different nation – that is a problem, but it surely’s no larger for us than for anybody else. Individuals not solely must be ready to alter employer, but in addition the nation. The truth that we have been profitable in recruiting skilled engineers and technicians from all different Energy Unit producers reveals that our venture and the situation are engaging – additionally for worldwide consultants and abilities. We now have a broad combine within the staff with staff from 23 international locations.
SD: Not solely do we have now a broad worldwide base, however we have now additionally strengthened our present motorsport experience at Audi Sport with exterior F1 experience. This has helped to speed up our studying curve significantly. Everyone seems to be giving the venture most velocity and is eagerly trying ahead to getting into Formulation 1. Motivation is extraordinarily excessive, and we sense a powerful staff spirit.
Are you able to give us an outlook? What subjects are Neuburg and Hinwil already engaged on collectively? SD: On the technical aspect, we’re already working in a real manufacturing facility staff mode throughout each websites. The main focus right here is on integrating the Energy Unit with necessary particulars equivalent to thermal administration. There may be additionally shut cooperation on the gearbox. We develop the internals in Neuburg, whereas the structural components such because the gearbox housing and rear axle are produced in Hinwil. Testing of the entire drive, consisting of the Energy Unit and transmission, then takes place on our powertrain check bench. This division is expedient by way of efficiency and experience.
AB: We made an early begin with the 2026 idea staff in Hinwil again in January 2023. This work is now being intensified with the present chassis laws. Our aim is obvious: to totally exploit the benefits and prospects of a manufacturing facility staff by way of packaging and integration of the Energy Unit.