Audi issue 'very complex' admission as crucial task awaits

Audi racing director Allan McNish has admitted that building a power unit from scratch has been a "very complex situation", as the manufacturer now faces the crucial task of making improvements.

The German manufacturer, like Red Bull, is a new power unit supplier in Formula 1 this season, with Audi operating as a factory team after acquiring Sauber.

Its results across the opening seven rounds have been relatively consistent, with both Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto finishing no lower than 13th.

However, Bortoleto's two points in the Melbourne season opener remain Audi's only top-10 finish of the year so far, although Hülkenberg had a great chance to add to that tally in Barcelona before an unfortunate retirement.

The German was forced to retire after a piece of gravel flicked up by Liam Lawson struck the pull loop, which acts as a kill switch on the side of his car, switching it off completely.

Audi has also struggled with power unit reliability and overall performance, with both drivers highlighting its lack of power.

According to numerous reports, Audi's power unit has been judged to be fourth in the pecking order, ahead of only Honda.

That means the German marque should be entitled to two internal combustion engine upgrades this year and in 2027, giving it a significant opportunity to improve its power unit's performance.

Asked where Audi ranks its power unit, McNish told select media, including RacingNews365: "Certainly, we knew that the first season of the power unit was always going to be difficult, building it from the ground up. 

"I think there have definitely been some areas where we've worked on it very hard and improved the reliability quite a lot as well. So, in that respect, it's always been a non-factor.

"It was a very complex situation, and it was never going to be easy to come out with the best power unit overall. 

"But with regard to where we are now, I don't think that was a factor in our issues in Barcelona in the end. Obviously, we're looking at how we can improve that, along with every other aspect of the car and the team as well."