Audi prepared to suffer failures in ultimate Mercedes and Ferrari F1 pursuit

Audi chief Mattia Binotto believes the team's power unit can be as successful as Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda, but that it must be prepared to endure failures.

The Ingolstadt-concern has joined the grand prix grid as one of two new power unit manufacturers in 2026, along with Red Bull Powertrains, which has a technical alliance with Ford.

During the pre-season shakedown test in Barcelona, Audi recorded a total of 240 laps, with its running limited by gremlins for Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.

The team has signalled that it is looking to challenge for the world titles by 2030, and become a class-leading power unit supplier, but to do so, it will have to topple the might of Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda.

Between them, the three manufacturers have won 576 races, 50.13% of all 1,149 world championship grands prix to date, 35 drivers' and 34 constructors' titles.

However, chief technical and chief operating officer Binotto believes that in time, and after teething troubles, Audi can become the class-leader in F1. 

"They've got the most experience, they are settled-down organisations and if a team or manufacturer was great in the past, they will remain great in the future, there is no doubt," Binotto explained of Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda.

"They are very strong competitors, it will be a very difficult challenge for us, but on the other side, I think we've got all the means to become, one day, successful and becoming the benchmark powertrains as well.

"I'm not expecting our powertrains to be the best at the start, that would be impossible and unrealistic, but I think we are on our journey and we need to stay focused on ourselves.

"Our task to be successful by 2030 may be perceived as a long way away, but it is not, it is tomorrow and the day after and we are staying focused on ourselves and staying humble.

"We may face problems during the season, we may face reliability failures, but what will count most for me is the team reacting properly, with no stone left unturned and learning from the problem and showing capacity in progressing.

"If we will be capable of progressing race-by-race, no doubt with the means we have got, with the full commitment of Audi as a brand, we may become as strong as the other, if not better."