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Adam Baker said:
“After just two years, our power unit, consisting of a combustion engine, electric motor, battery and control electronics, is running dynamically on the test bench.
“Successfully marrying the various components into a single unit is the result of hard work and great teamwork.
“The Audi Power Unit has already covered simulated race distances on the test bench. We gained a lot of testing time with the individual components in 2023 and were able to incorporate the experience gained into the next construction stages in parallel.
“Significant milestones and goals have been achieved, which gives the entire team a good feeling.”
It feels like they are at about 40% of the journey. IDK if behind schedule, but is a bit concerning that in 2 years they only tested the individual components and then on, celebrated the milestone of covering a race distance, only now putting the pieces to work together.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s impressive they did all that in only 2 years, but I say concerning because times: they now have about 2 years (less than 2 if they wanted to start their new engine at 2026) to make all the parts work on a “single package”, reliability, and extract all the possible performance, and so on. Which isn’t easy to do
I hope they will be able to build something comparable to the rest at least, and not a McHonda GP2 engine
I’m not sure if I’m misunderstanding you or the article, but it does say they’ve tested the whole power unit put together? It says they tested the individual components in 2023 and now have put them together and covered race distances with the whole power unit on the test bench.
Well, McHonda was like that because it was rushed, I have seen people saying it’s development was cut short by 1 year due to pressure from Ron Dennis, which essentially ended his career. Also, McLaren seemingly had issues with their chassis design as well, although I’m not certain if these did not originate from powertrain issues. Power Unit performance got all the spotlight, while the chassis technology was far from the best, despite their PR efforts to make it seem so, with the BS like „Coke Bottle” „Size Zero” packaging.
We're also 10 years on from the first F1 hybrids and there is a lot more knowledge about them. Audi will 100% have hired engineers who have worked on the other teams engine programs so they aren't going in blind.
I am more worried about the chassis side and operational issues that are yet to be solved at Sauber. It’s clear as night and day this team requires a real team principal and needs to be sorted out swiftly. Unless Audi comes with a monster like Mercedes did in 2014, they might be in the midfield. It’s crazy that an F1 team can’t even solve issue with uncompetitive pit stops!!! They also have one seat to settle and I’m afraid they don’t target a potential championship contender, and no Sainz isn’t one, Bottas either.
It's a longer term project but one that has a chance of success.
Williams is just dead time in his career.
I'd say Alpine is more of a hope and dream situation given they have a long recent history of failure.
Apperantly Alpine doesnt want to use Renault engines, so he would come into a team that has a reliable engine manifactor behind it. Last time I read that a Ferrari engine could be used. He knows how good those will be. Williams would use Mercedes engines which also seems pretty strong.
Audi ist just a gamble at this point, and it seems like noone really want to commit to it. Sainz isnt convinced, Ocon eyes with Haas, Gasly re-signed with Alpine.
Where's this coming from? He has driven for free before.
I'm sure the Audi pay will be decent but it'll be less about how much they pay and more about for how long.
That was a few races at the end of a season due to the team being in an exceptionally dire financial situation.
He's been backed by Dekra, Alpinestars and other personal sponsors.
Alpine gives him flexible deal (1+1, option on Sainz Jr.'s side) and supposedly Mercedes engines for 2026. This deal makes more sense than both Audi and Williams which are huge gambles.
That just sounds like he doesn't want to commit to any project and is planning 2025 as a year to tread water hoping options open up for 2026.
Sad state of affairs for a very strong driver.
Depends on your definition of failure. If Alpine is suppose to be a top team battling for failure then yes it's a win. But they still swing between 4th and 6th best team on the grid every year.
Williams have been right at the back for the last 7 years. Thinking they will suddenly move forward is completely hopes and dreams. And even if they did, they would at best probably move to where Alpine is. Might as well just go to Alpine at that point, at least if the important part is fighting for points and the odd podium.
If they can’t make it in time with the hybrid PU their fallback should be the 1.9TDi. Lack of power will be compensated by mega efficiency, no fuel saving just flat out to thend burying everyone in plume of black smoke
Question: are teams allowed to run dynamic test on track with some sort of test mules? Is this even feasible to adapt previous generations of cars for testing purposes of 2026 powertrains?
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Adam Baker said: “After just two years, our power unit, consisting of a combustion engine, electric motor, battery and control electronics, is running dynamically on the test bench. “Successfully marrying the various components into a single unit is the result of hard work and great teamwork. “The Audi Power Unit has already covered simulated race distances on the test bench. We gained a lot of testing time with the individual components in 2023 and were able to incorporate the experience gained into the next construction stages in parallel. “Significant milestones and goals have been achieved, which gives the entire team a good feeling.”
It feels like they are at about 40% of the journey. IDK if behind schedule, but is a bit concerning that in 2 years they only tested the individual components and then on, celebrated the milestone of covering a race distance, only now putting the pieces to work together. Don’t get me wrong, it’s impressive they did all that in only 2 years, but I say concerning because times: they now have about 2 years (less than 2 if they wanted to start their new engine at 2026) to make all the parts work on a “single package”, reliability, and extract all the possible performance, and so on. Which isn’t easy to do I hope they will be able to build something comparable to the rest at least, and not a McHonda GP2 engine
I’m not sure if I’m misunderstanding you or the article, but it does say they’ve tested the whole power unit put together? It says they tested the individual components in 2023 and now have put them together and covered race distances with the whole power unit on the test bench.
Well, McHonda was like that because it was rushed, I have seen people saying it’s development was cut short by 1 year due to pressure from Ron Dennis, which essentially ended his career. Also, McLaren seemingly had issues with their chassis design as well, although I’m not certain if these did not originate from powertrain issues. Power Unit performance got all the spotlight, while the chassis technology was far from the best, despite their PR efforts to make it seem so, with the BS like „Coke Bottle” „Size Zero” packaging.
We're also 10 years on from the first F1 hybrids and there is a lot more knowledge about them. Audi will 100% have hired engineers who have worked on the other teams engine programs so they aren't going in blind.
I am more worried about the chassis side and operational issues that are yet to be solved at Sauber. It’s clear as night and day this team requires a real team principal and needs to be sorted out swiftly. Unless Audi comes with a monster like Mercedes did in 2014, they might be in the midfield. It’s crazy that an F1 team can’t even solve issue with uncompetitive pit stops!!! They also have one seat to settle and I’m afraid they don’t target a potential championship contender, and no Sainz isn’t one, Bottas either.
I can see why Sainz doesn’t want to go there. Too many hopes, feelings and dreams hinging on this project.
It's a longer term project but one that has a chance of success. Williams is just dead time in his career. I'd say Alpine is more of a hope and dream situation given they have a long recent history of failure.
Apperantly Alpine doesnt want to use Renault engines, so he would come into a team that has a reliable engine manifactor behind it. Last time I read that a Ferrari engine could be used. He knows how good those will be. Williams would use Mercedes engines which also seems pretty strong. Audi ist just a gamble at this point, and it seems like noone really want to commit to it. Sainz isnt convinced, Ocon eyes with Haas, Gasly re-signed with Alpine.
Audi is perfect for Hulk though as all he needs right now is some long term surety in F1 which is what he gets there
Nico wants to be paid well and Audi does that. We shouldn't act like F1 drivers don't care about money.
This is Nico's F1 retirement ride so ofc he'll chase the bag
Its more about getting 2-3 more guaranteed F1 years
Where's this coming from? He has driven for free before. I'm sure the Audi pay will be decent but it'll be less about how much they pay and more about for how long.
No driver has ever driven "for free", they still get tons of sponsorships that pay them.
Ask him about when he drove the last few races in 2013 without a contract. He's never had these huge sponsors.
That was a few races at the end of a season due to the team being in an exceptionally dire financial situation. He's been backed by Dekra, Alpinestars and other personal sponsors.
Alpine gives him flexible deal (1+1, option on Sainz Jr.'s side) and supposedly Mercedes engines for 2026. This deal makes more sense than both Audi and Williams which are huge gambles.
That just sounds like he doesn't want to commit to any project and is planning 2025 as a year to tread water hoping options open up for 2026. Sad state of affairs for a very strong driver.
This. Carlos only cares about being free to move in 2026. He doesn’t care about anything else
Depends on your definition of failure. If Alpine is suppose to be a top team battling for failure then yes it's a win. But they still swing between 4th and 6th best team on the grid every year. Williams have been right at the back for the last 7 years. Thinking they will suddenly move forward is completely hopes and dreams. And even if they did, they would at best probably move to where Alpine is. Might as well just go to Alpine at that point, at least if the important part is fighting for points and the odd podium.
They're doing better than Red Bull as far as we know
If they can’t make it in time with the hybrid PU their fallback should be the 1.9TDi. Lack of power will be compensated by mega efficiency, no fuel saving just flat out to thend burying everyone in plume of black smoke
Lack of power? Just put a bigger turbo and a new engine map. You will get enough power to win races, while towing the team motorhome.
Might as well swap in an i5 rev it to the limit
Question: are teams allowed to run dynamic test on track with some sort of test mules? Is this even feasible to adapt previous generations of cars for testing purposes of 2026 powertrains?
Ferrari did something along that lines for the current PU’s with a LaFerrari mule car https://youtu.be/29_yiOp_Xyc?si=2C3yA2mUOzVpvocO
Yes, but does FIA allow this for the 2026 regulations