Audi’s Plan to Join F1 in 2026 Still On as New CEO Takes Over

Volkswagen group executive Gernot Döllner was named Audi’s new Audi CEO in June of this year, assuming the mantle on September 1. He faced a tough transition, as former Audi CEO Markus Duesmann was ousted this summer reportedly for allowing Audi to fall behind its rivals. Rumors started to swirl that Audi was behind on its power unit development process and that Audi would pull out.

Not so fast, Döllner says. In his first major interview since he became CEO, Döllner told German publication Handelsblatt that Audi’s participation in F1 is definitely still moving forward.

"There is a clear decision from the board of management and the supervisory boards of Audi and Volkswagen that Audi will enter Formula 1 in 2026,” Döllner said. “The plan is in place."

While Audi boasts a storied history in endurance motorsports, the 2026 event will be the first time the German brand has raced in F1. The opportunity to showcase its technology prowess was too good to pass up.