Audi’s First Formula One Season Under Allan McNish

Audi entered Formula One in 2026 after acquiring the Sauber operation and appointing former driver Allan McNish as racing director. The team, fielding Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriele Bortoleto, is navigating a steep development curve, currently sitting ninth of eleven in the constructors’ championship with an under-powered engine but a chassis that performs well in corners at the Hungaroring.

The Guardian

McNish began karting in 1981, later serving as a test driver for McLaren and Benetton before a full-season drive with Toyota in 2002. His endurance résumé includes four Le Mans victories (1998, 2008, 2013, plus a later win), 14 Le Mans starts, six additional podiums, four Sebring 12-Hour wins, three Petit Le Mans victories, three second-places at Daytona, and three American Le Mans championships (2000, 2006, 2007). During 13 years with Audi he contested 89 races, achieving 66 podiums and 29 wins, and later led Audi’s Formula E team to the inaugural constructors’ title in 2017.

The Guardian

Audi’s five-year plan mirrors those of rivals Aston Martin and Alpine, aiming for a title-contending position by 2030—a target set by team principal Mattia Binotto, former Ferrari chief. While the power unit lags behind rivals, the chassis shows competitive cornering speed, and the driver lineup blends youthful vigor with seasoned experience.

The Guardian

> “Big races, big events, big programmes are not new, that’s something I’ve seen in my previous life with Audi in the way they approach it,” — Allan McNish

The Guardian

McNish’s dual insight as former driver and team leader offers Audi a rare blend of on-track empathy and strategic direction. If the chassis development continues and the power unit improves, the team could transition from a developmental year to genuine title contention within the next few seasons, aligning with its 2030 ambition.

The Guardian