Building for the future

It was a particularly challenging race weekend for the entire complement of Formula 1 teams at this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix held at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit. Despite numerous issues, it was one which saw the Audi Revolut F1 Team continue to consolidate its position in its first season in Formula 1.

Held in Malaysia due to the continuing conflict in the middle east, the climate made for an uncharacteristically wet ‘Bahrain race’, causing issues to operating software right across the field and forcing a lengthy delay before racing ultimately got underway.

For the Audi Revolut F1 Team though, it saw a return to stronger performances in qualifying with Gabriel Bortoleto once again surging right through to Q3 for the first time in some weeks, showing significant pace in the mid-field.

Ultimate results were not as strong as hoped, but with a quick turnaround to the next race in Singapore, there is no time to ponder what was, but rather prepare for what is to come.

“It comes as no surprise that the fight to be at the top of the midfield is as close as ever. We have seen some of the rivals farther back make steps forward, and now it’s a big battle at every race,” says Audi Revolut F1 Race Director, Allan McNish.

“We have faced challenges in both Baku and Sepang, missing out on points the final lap on both occasions, and that goes to show you have to deliver and execute a perfect weekend if you want to come away with something. The important thing now is to keep pushing and find that little extra in Singapore to get ourselves back into the points.”

Despite its proximity to Malaysia, being a night race, the track and general operating temperatures  in Singapore will be more forgiving on drivers and cars. Singapore also features a sprint race as well as the main event, giving additional opportunities to come away with more points.

Singapore will also see the Audi R26 wearing a new racing livery to mark the brand’s first races under lights. The special livery combines a Singapore-specific interpretation of Titanium Silver Grey colour, inspired by the city’s changing light, with a Traditional Peranakan Pattern, and the colour scheme will also shift under the circuit’s floodlights, gaining depth and changing in appearance as the cars race around the Marina Bay circuit.

But while the travelling component of the Audi Revolut F1 Team are already focused on this weekend’s racing, the broader team has offered a look at the work going on to secure and grow the team’s future.

Plans for a new Formula One Campus in Hinwil, Switzerland, mark a major milestone in the Team’s long-term development. Just a kilometre from Audi Motorsport AG’s current base, some elements of the new Campus on Zurichstrasse are already operational, with the full development scheduled for completion in 2030.

While the new facility is under construction, the current site at Wildbachstrasse will continue to operate and will subsequently be redeveloped as the Team’s manufacturing centre and wind tunnel operation.

The brand’s Formula 1 power units will continue to be developed and manufactured in Neuburg, at the celebrated Audi Sport facility, while the Team will also retain its technical centre in Bicester, United Kingdom.

“The Campus will play an important role in helping us attract and retain world-class talent while providing the foundations required to achieve our long-term ambitions,” says Mattia Binotto, CEO and Team Principal of Audi Revolut F1 Team.

“Building a successful Formula 1 team is ultimately about people. The best engineers, designers, mechanics and specialists want to work in an environment that allows them to collaborate, innovate and perform at their highest level.

“What makes this project particularly special is that it allows us to shape the future of Audi Revolut F1 Team from the ground up. Opportunities like this are rare in modern Formula 1. We are not simply moving into an existing facility – we are creating a home designed around our people, our culture and our ambitions.”