Audi insider identifies the ‘Mount Everest of challenges’ they face before their 2026 Formula 1 debut

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Audi are edging closer to their Formula 1 debut as they prepare to join the sport for the 2026 season.

The German manufacturer will take over from Sauber at the end of 2025, with the Hinwil-based outfit officially leaving F1 after over three decades.

Audi will join F1 as the new technical regulations come into effect. The changes are a key reason why the German giants are coming to the sport, as it shifts to a focus on sustainability and electrical power.

The manufacturer will supply their own power unit from 2026, with a lot of the foundations already in place for their arrival. Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto are set to stay at Audi, amid some earlier concerns that the team were looking at other options.

Coming into F1 not only as a new team, but an engine supplier, as new rules come into play will not be plain sailing. In fact, Allan McNish has identified a whole host of challenges for Audi.

Allan McNish says Audi have a ‘Mount Everest of challenges’ ahead of 2026 season

The Scotsman, who raced in F1 with Toyota in 2002, works with Audi as their Senior Consultant Technical Partnerships for their F1 project, having raced with them in sports cars.

Speaking via the RacingNews365 Podcast, McNish says Audi have a ‘Mount Everest of challenges’ ahead of them for 2026, as they work tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare for their debut.

“It is the biggest change in regulations, chassis and power unit, and also fuels that we have had, I think certainly my lifetime, here being involved in the sport in one form or another,” he said.

“And that’s very exciting, because it gives opportunities as well. And I’m quite sure that some teams will get it better than others, as we saw with the previous power unit only regulation change, and also the chassis only regulation change as well.

“But from our side, it’s building on that timeline that we had back at that point when that car was already under wraps. And then that silk cover came off and the world knew that we was going to enter Formula 1 for the first time.

“And having seen all of the other championships as well, and being involved in quite a lot of them, either as a driver, but also formally as a team principal. And when they look to go to do things, they look to go to do it correctly.

“It’s got to have a lot of relevance within the company, but the company does get invested behind it. And it’s good to see that that’s the case. However, this is the Mount Everest of challenges, there’s no question about it.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Sauber from team principal to 2026 Audi future

Sauber are making huge strides forward in 2025 that will greatly benefit Audi

While Audi are going ‘full throttle’ for 2026 behind the scenes, Sauber are making huge improvements on the track that will put them in good standing for next season.

The Hinwil outfit have made dramatic steps forward in recent months, with a new floor upgrade introduced in Barcelona propelling them up the midfield. Hulkenberg scored his first F1 podium at Silverstone as Sauber moved to sixth in the standings.

Under the guidance of Jonathan Wheatley, the team are setting the foundations for Audi to be competitive. Wheatley has improved pit stops by taking Red Bull staff with him, while Hulkenberg and Bortoleto impress with strong qualifying and race pace.

Naturally, Audi will not be expected to be a title contender when they arrive. However, there are some encouraging signs, with paddock rumours suggesting that Audi have a better power unit than Ferrari for 2026.