Audi has announced the signing of Ralph Boschung, who has joined the F1 team as a development driver.
Audi is preparing for its first full season in F1 this year, entering its own works team for the first time.
It got its pre-season preparations underway last month in Barcelona before travelling to Bahrain for the second winter test.
Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto form its full-time driver line-up, having been partnered together at Sauber last year as the team prepared for the Audi takeover.
Assisting the duo with the development of the R26 car this year will be Boschung, who will play an active role at Audi's factory as the German manufacturer commences a new era.
“New development driver – building the future with us,” read a short statement from Audi.
“We are proud to welcome Swiss driver Ralph Boschung as our development driver. Congratulations on taking the next step with us.”
Boschung is a Formula 2 veteran as he spent several seasons in the junior formulae, winning one race and taking several more podiums.
He last raced full-time in 2023, which was his last season on the F2 grid.
Boschung joins Freddie Slater at the team, with the latter part of the newly formed Audi junior programme.
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