The next 12 months will be pivotal for the Sauber team, with the outfit bracing itself for the arrival of Formula 1’s sweeping new regulations and preparing to become Audi’s factory team. Audi will develop the engine, which F1 lead Mattia Binotto warns won’t be “the best” on the grid.
In 2026, Formula 1 plans to introduce new regulations aimed at making their vehicles more agile to enhance race excitement. The updated engine standards will boost the utilization of electric power during grands prix, aiding the organization’s push towards greater sustainability.
Alongside the new engine rules, F1 will also welcome new engine manufacturers, with Audi and Ford – through a partnership with Red Bull – set to join from 2026 and Cadillac following from 2029.
“Building power units is far more intricate and complicated than one might think when simply watching races as a viewer,” stated Binotto, who leads Audi’s Formula 1 initiative.
Previously, Binotto was employed at Ferrari during the time when the team was adapting to the series’ most recent significant engine changes. This transformation occurred in 2014 with the debut of the present-day V6 hybrid engines.
“Now, though, we’re venturing into territory that is incredibly advanced and unprecedented,” he stated exclusively to newsinpo.site.
As a result, we can expect increased challenges, despite beginning with an engine. Altering the engine’s culture won’t be straightforward.
The updated regulations mandate an equal distribution of power between the internal combustion component and the electric elements at a fifty-fifty ratio. Additionally, the intricate MGU-H system responsible for capturing heat from the engine exhaust is being eliminated. Instead, all engines must use 100% sustainably sourced fuel.
These extensive modifications pose a challenge for engine makers, and Binotto acknowledges that Audi faces similar difficulties.
We’re concentrating on our own progress,” he stated. “We understand that 2026 isn’t going to be the year when we’ll lead the pack. Our power unit won’t be the finest, but the direction we’ve chosen is correct, and I believe in this approach.
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Photo credit: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
This upcoming regulation shift might also introduce fresh dimensions of rivalry, since teams will get to choose the type of fuel used in their new engines. The alternatives range from e-fuels to biofuels, according to Binotto, who notes this implies “fuel will turn into another element that sets teams apart” starting in 2026.
Notably, Audi might hold an advantage due to its affiliation with the Volkswagen Group, which boasts experience with e-fuels. Via its Porsche division, the corporation is significantly investing in eco-friendly fuel substitutes and has supported the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Chile.
This initiative, launched in 2023, might boost Audi’s performance in the upcoming season. However, Binotto acknowledges hearing “reports” suggesting that another team may benefit from the significant power unit alterations: Mercedes. It appears that this British squad is already outpacing others, prompting Binotto to caution about how these shifts towards newer engines could reignite dominance for a single team.
In 2014, when a more significant hybrid system was introduced for the power unit, it started as an engine championship due to Mercedes making the crucial difference,” he explains. “This scenario has the potential to repeat itself, and those aiming to catch up will attempt to close the gap.
Certainly, this does not imply that the season will see another Mercedes domination. We can only determine how the updated power units measure up when the racing begins at the inaugural race of the 2026 season.
Certainly, one fact remains clear: 2026 will signify a pivotal moment in the annals of the Sauber team’s history. The squad has not tasted victory since their lone win back in 2008 during their tenure with another German marque, BMW, in Formula 1.
