Binotto acknowledged the difficulties in developing the Audi engine

      In 2026, Sauber will become the Audi factory team, which will have power plants of its own design and production. However, project manager Mattia Binotto has already revealed that the Audi powertrain will not be the best next season, and the team will have to catch up.

      "The development of power plants, and I know this well, since I worked as a motorist, is much more complicated and confusing than one might imagine watching races as a spectator," Autosport quotes Mattia Binotto as saying. "We are now engaged in extremely advanced developments that we have not done before. Therefore, the difficulty level is much higher, although the starting point is always the engine. We will have to change the culture of the engine, and it will not be easy.

      We are focused on our own work and we know that we will not be at the top in 2026. We won't have a better power plant, but I'm sure the path we've chosen is the right one.

      In 2014, when Formula 1 made the more important transition to hybrid powertrains, we won the motor racing championship at the very beginning, because Mercedes had the advantage. This situation may happen again, and then the rest will have to catch up."