Audi sets target of winning races within 3 years of entering Formula 1 in 2026

Audi will reveal the name of its partner team for 2026 and beyond "later this year".

It is highly anticipated that a 75% buyout deal with Sauber, the Swiss-based team currently known as Alfa Romeo, has already been signed.

Audi's 'Formula 1 project leader' Adam Baker, however, is not yet ready to announce it.

"We considered all the alternatives for the concept of our project," he told the Spanish press at an event in Madrid.

"We will let you know about the partner later this year and explain how it is going to work. But we have understood what we need from the ideal partner, and this is what will enable us to have success in the future."

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Winning by 2029

Baker is even willing to set an ambitious early target of race wins within three years of the start of the all-new engine regulations in 2026.

"We understand the scale of the challenge, but we want to show that we can achieve success," he said. "The board members know a great deal about F1 and are well aware of the challenges involved.

"But as an entry point, 2026 is a very attractive year. We would love to be competitive from the start, but we have to be realistic. We want to be in a position to win races in three years.

"There are rule changes. Everyone now works in these financial restrictions, so it's a very different situation to the past in which some teams could have an advantage. In this situation, three years is a realistic path."

That winning strategy, however, will require winning drivers - but Volkswagen-owned Audi is not willing to talk publicly about any forthcoming talks.

"There is a lot of interest but also three and a half years to go and plenty of time for many