Audi will be positively encouraged by Ralf Schumacher’s new ‘realistic’ expectation for them

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Audi aren’t expected to kick up too much of a fuss when they make their official debut as a full-time Formula 1 manufacturer in 2026.

The Sauber team is no more, but they retain the same driver line-up for next season, with a useful blend of experience and youth.

Nico Hulkenberg is back for another year, while Gabriel Bortoleto embarks on his second campaign. Both were pretty solid in 2025.

But expectations are going to change now that they’re Audi drivers. The 2026 F1 regulations are a new era, and there could be an opportunity presented to some to make some major inroads.

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Jonathan Wheatley thinks Audi have a ‘significant disadvantage’ in 2026 and expects Sauber’s lack of investment in the future to really hurt them.

It’s part of the reason why Carlos Sainz signed for Williams instead, with a clearer path and vision to get back to the front in both the short and long term.

READ MORE: Ranking the top 10 Sauber drivers of all time ahead of Audi’s 2026 Formula 1 takeover

Ralf Schumacher suggests Audi need two years to be competitive in F1 again

Audi want to win a title by 2030, but that would be a rapid turnaround for a team that hasn’t technically won a race since 2008, when they were in partnership with BMW.

Ralf Schumacher has now backed them to be competitive ahead of their own target, which will be music to the ears of the new management.

“So I feel like they’ve definitely become much stronger this year, taking into account their starting point,” he told F1-Insider. “However, I must acknowledge that they did successfully manage to clean up the mess there.

“This is because the cleanup team was clearly exceptionally dedicated to the task at the time. BMW failed to achieve this, and naturally, the outcome was predictable. I now also think I have the feeling that it’s a result of Binotto’s arrival, that’s the main aspect of it.

“So a great deal has been changed there already, and some, shall we say, old infrastructure, a few old systems have been modified. I think that was important, and that has already been shown,” Schumacher continued.

“To turn it around so quickly, I think it’s realistic that it will take another two years. Of course, Audi will be very important to us.”

READ MORE: Paddock ‘rumours’ suggest Mercedes rivals have now ‘broken through’ with their 2026 F1 power unit

Why Audi can be quietly optimistic about the 2026 F1 season

Although there are no guarantees, it would take a lot for Audi to end up finishing their first season bottom of the constructors’ championship.

New entrants Cadillac have far less experience, and are building something from square one, which should be a much more daunting prospect than their German rivals face.

They do have the benefit of a customer engine deal with Ferrari, but their new drivers both have been off the grid for more than 12 months. There will be some rust to shake off.

Meanwhile, Audi can almost pick up from where they left off in 2025, and can build upon the existing relationships they have with their talented drivers.