Podiums may be an overly optimistic goal for Audi in their debut Formula 1 season as a full works team, according to representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi at Zandvoort.
While Audi has already fully acquired the Swiss-based Sauber team, the rebranding to Audi and the introduction of the Audi power unit won't occur until the new regulations take effect in 2026.
Progress has completely stalled in 2024, with the Hinwil-based Sauber team, currently known as 'Stake' or 'Kick,' now the only team on the grid without a single point.
"Our situation is not easy, and the rest of the season will not be easy," Valtteri Bottas told Viaplay at the Dutch GP. "That's a fact."
"We have new parts coming, but not for a while. The next bigger update will probably be done around October," he said. "Until then, we just have to fight and try to get the most out of the car."
Audi's preparations for their 2026 debut have also been tumultuous, with their overall boss Andreas Seidl recently replaced by former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto.
"It is normal that there are changes in a team that must make progress," Bravi told RTBF at Zandvoort. "We must have this period of preparation."
"The arrival of Mattia is a huge contribution to the project. He has great experience on the technical side - 25 years of experience at Ferrari. He will have a crucial role with us."
However, Bravi conceded that the team's current state is far from ideal.
"No team can afford not to score points," he stated. "We can't go from zero this year to being competitive in 2026. We have to show progress. It's imperative to score points and we have the pressure to do it. That's Formula 1."
A larger question may be whether the executives at Audi and Volkswagen Group have the patience for a potentially underwhelming 2026 debut.
"They are well aware that we have a period of development at the factory in all departments to be able to reach the level of the top teams," Alunni Bravi continued. "We are not there yet.
"So it is necessary to provide big investments and to have a larger group of people. But Audi's commitment to F1 is very strong. We need time, but it is difficult to say if we will be in the fight for the podium in 2026."
Lastly, Audi has not yet even chosen a driver to pair with Nico Hulkenberg for next year. "We have a new boss with Binotto," Bravi said. "We need to give him time to analyse the discussions that are in place with several drivers."
"He has to decide what is best for the future. But we have options on the table, even internally."
