Audi address key Red Bull comparison

Sauber chief operating and chief technical officer Mattia Binotto has addressed a key comparison between Audi and Red Bull. 

Both Audi and Red Bull are becoming F1 power unit manufacturers for the first time in 2026, when the new regulations are introduced. 

Despite Red Bull having been in the sport since 2005, it is still a significant step for the Milton Keynes-based outfit, whilst it is an entirely new project for Audi who will enter a works team after its takeover of Sauber. 

There are question marks over how competitive the two teams will be when the new regulations are introduced, with the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda having significant experience in developing F1 engines. 

It is a "huge task" for both Audi and Red Bull, with Binotto being unable to say anything just yet on the latter. 

"I cannot say anything about Red Bull, because at the end [of the day] I can only focus on ourselves," Binotto told select media including RacingNews365. 

"What can I say? It's a huge task. But I think for Audi, it's one of the most important ones, because being branded by our own power unit, that's a key element of the project. 

"It's a key element of our objectives being not only a chassis [manufacturer] winning a championship in F1, but being a full manufacturer – chassis and power unit manufacturer – but we know that the task is huge."

Audi making 'big investment'

Whilst it will be Red Bull's first time as an F1 power unit manufacturer, Binotto believes the outfit does have "some experience" in the area. 

Red Bull did build a power unit facility in Milton Keynes and created the Red Bull Powertrains department, which currently collaborates with Honda.

Whilst it is not directly building the team's and RB's current engines, it will have likely seen how Honda manages the bulk of the process. 

Given that Stake/Sauber is a customer Ferrari team, Audi has largely started from scratch, something Binotto recognises as being incredibly difficult. 

"It's a big investment," Binotto pointed out. "And as we said, I think they've [Red Bull] got some experience on the power unit.

"I know how difficult it is to set up a full F1 organisation, because it's not about only design development.

"It's also about the sort of process towards the reliability, race track management, there is much experience that still needs to be learned.

"But again, I think we got good people. That is all we need to do well and the full support will be [given to us}. But as I said, it's a very big task."