Audi has provided an update on its Neuburg factory, which is being expanded to accommodate its 2026 Formula 1 entry.
Earlier this year, the German manufacturer announced it would enter the sport when new power unit regulations come into play in just over three years’ time.
It will partner Sauber, who will design and build the chassis from its Hinwil facility.
However Audi will produce its own power unit from the factory in Neuburg, which is the centre of its racing operations across all motorsport divisions.
To make room for its F1 project, a brand new building that spans 3,000 square metres is being built at the centre.
Construction of the new building, which is called F7.2, began earlier this week.
“With the Competence Center Motorsport, we have an ideal base for our Formula 1 project,” said Oliver Hoffmann, Board Member for Technical Development.
“Audi Neuburg was designed from the outset to be able to tackle the most demanding motorsport projects. This foresight is paying off.
“With the existing facilities, we were able to immediately begin with the Formula 1 project. The expansion will create the necessary infrastructure for the development of our F1 power unit for the long term.
“With the building extension and the installation of state-of-the-art test benches, we are giving our development team the best possible conditions to be successful in the top class of motorsport.”
Fitted into the new building will be test benches for the power units, as well as technical rooms, a mechanical workshop and workplaces for roughly 60 on-site employees.
Audi expects that construction will be completed in the first quarter of 2024, and hopes to have it in use during the first quarter of 2024.
The German manufacturer added that around 220 employees have been brought on to work on its F1 project, and it hopes to have 300 workers by mid-2023.
