Peter Sauber stands up for Audi during its challenging period amidst criticism.

      Peter Sauber has come to Audi's defense amid increasing criticism regarding the German manufacturer’s challenging start in Formula 1.

      Audi's inaugural season following its full works transition has been marred by reliability problems, drivability issues, and insufficient engine performance. Some detractors have gone so far as to label these initial setbacks as embarrassing for such a prominent manufacturer.

      However, team founder Sauber believes that more time is needed. "You simply have to grant the team additional time," the retired 82-year-old expressed to Blick newspaper. "Audi had to build the engine and gearbox from the ground up." He added, "Success does not come instantly. Therefore, the numerous criticisms are hasty."

      Current drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have both candidly recognized the extent of the challenge. "We are behind the fastest cars, and that’s due to a mix of factors," Hulkenberg acknowledged in Montreal. "There’s significant room for improvement regarding the drivability of the power unit. We're aware that we don't have the most powerful engine." He also noted, "We need to enhance its reliability."

      Bortoleto concurred. "In the end, we are simply lacking in power," the Brazilian remarked. "This is evident in the publicly available data." He added, "Given that the project has just begun, we’ve made commendable progress. Yet, the gap compared to other teams is quite noticeable."

      Despite the challenging start, Hulkenberg asserts that advancements are being made. "We have some new components here; it's not a significant evolution package, but part of ongoing development," he noted. "I am eager to see what has changed since Miami." The seasoned German is still in pursuit of his first points of 2026.

      It's anticipated that both Audi and Honda will qualify for Formula 1’s ADUO balancing system, which aims to support struggling engine manufacturers under the new regulations. Nonetheless, even Ferrari is now hopeful of gaining an advantage, as the FIA's decision approaches. "I think Mercedes has a substantial edge at the moment, particularly regarding the power unit," Charles Leclerc conceded. "I would be surprised if we don’t secure ADUO." He further remarked, "At times on the straights, I notice we're lacking some performance compared to the Mercedes engine, or even the Ford engine."