Audi achieves “significant milestone” with its 2026 Formula One power unit

Work on the Energy Unit for Audi’s Formulation 1 entry has been underway for greater than two years. The German producer has now revealed particulars on how the work has progressed for the final two years.

In August 2022, Audi introduced its plans to take over the Sauber F1 staff in 2026 when new technical laws will take impact. Nevertheless, with modifications in Audi’s administration, rumours had began to flow into a number of instances that the German producer may name off its F1 dedication.

This yr’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix then noticed the Ingolstadt-based producer verify its plans to take a 100% stake within the Sauber Group. Audi introduced {that a} corresponding settlement was reached with the present majority shareholder, Islero Investments AG.

Within the meantime, Audi created a facility in Neuburg a. d. Donau which is accountable for the event of the F1 hybrid drive. Along with the Hinwil facility, the staff from Neuburg will type the long run manufacturing unit staff with which Audi will compete within the prime class in 2026.

Commenting on the work Audi has completed with its energy unit, Adam Baker, who’s the CEO of Audi Formulation Racing GmbH, stated that the German producer has already simulated race distances with its energy models.

“After simply two years, our Energy Unit, consisting of a combustion engine, electrical motor, battery and management electronics, is working dynamically on the take a look at bench.

“Efficiently marrying the varied elements right into a single unit is the results of exhausting work and nice teamwork. The Audi Energy Unit has already lined simulated race distances on the take a look at bench.

“We gained quite a lot of testing time with the person elements in 2023 and had been capable of incorporate the expertise gained into the following building levels in parallel. Important milestones and targets have been achieved, which supplies all the staff an excellent feeling,” famous Baker.

Audi Formulation Racing’s CTO Stefan Dreyer revealed that the the corporate’s take a look at facility has gone by way of a big modernization to be able to meet the requirements set by rival Formulation One engine producers.

“We carried out a really bold modernization and growth of our take a look at facility. At the moment, we have now 22 state-of-the-art take a look at benches on the website.

“Our new improvement instruments are state-of-the-art and have enabled us to realize a steep studying curve. By testing on the take a look at bench beneath simulated racing circumstances we achieve essential 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 all the drive system, which implies the mix of Energy Unit and transmission.

“On the similar time, we’re going full throttle with efficiency improvement to be able to obtain the targets we have now set ourselves.

Audi makes use of completely different tracks from the present F1 calendar to check its energy unit on the take a look at bench with Dreyer claiming that sure tracks offering the German producer with fascinating information.

“We run the Energy Unit on the take a look at bench with completely different layouts from the present F1 calendar, relying on the aim of the take a look at.

“For instance, Las Vegas is fascinating for our improvement staff when it comes to general power administration. A number of alternating quick and gradual corners and virtually two kilometers of full throttle driving on the Las Vegas Strip present the right improvement surroundings for fine-tuning the combustion engine and the ERS (Power Restoration System) elements.

Dreyer has revealed that whereas the F1 venture is new for Audi, its earlier tasks have helped it design the F1 energy unit for the 2026 season.

“It was notably essential to determine a broad base in all areas, to create an excellent basis for the event of the person elements – combustion engine, electrical motor, battery, management electronics, software program – to coordinate them with one another at an early stage.

“Our expertise from earlier motorsport tasks with high-voltage know-how, Le Mans, Formulation E, but in addition from the present Dakar venture, has helped us rather a lot. We’ve got already confirmed prior to now that we will develop typical, hybridized and purely electrical drivetrains.

“Nonetheless, the problem in Formulation 1 is a very completely different one when it comes to cutting-edge know-how and competitors. This additionally applies to our companions and suppliers – we’re experiencing a really sturdy dedication from all sides.

Talking of the development of the Neuburg facility, Baker famous: “There have been particular milestones virtually each month because the begin of the venture in spring 2022, for instance the beginning of building for our infrastructure growth, the beginning of testing for the single-cylinder, the primary take a look at 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 focus on the event of the Energy Unit for 2026 is a bonus for Audi. The remaining time till 2026 is all about attaining our improvement targets when it comes to most general automobile efficiency with full focus. It should stay thrilling till the primary race – and after that, in fact, too.

“Depth is an effective key phrase for our efficiency improvement. The laws enable a complete of three take a look at benches for single-cylinder checks, for instance, which aren’t restricted by the FIA when it comes to working instances.

“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 gas improvement has been working since 2022 with a powerful associate who has a few years of expertise in Formulation 1. This can be a actually decisive issue for our venture, as the brand new sustainable gas for 2026 can have even better aggressive relevance,” stated Baker.

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