Audi remains confident in its Formula 1 plans despite Renault's decision to cancel its 2026 works engine program.
While Renault's exit likely means its team Alpine will use Mercedes customer power units from 2026, Audi has fully acquired Sauber and is set to launch its new works engine in the same year.
Mattia Binotto, the former Ferrari team principal and now Audi's head of F1 operations, acknowledged that the journey to competitiveness would take time.
"I've been visiting Neuburg and the engine is progressing well on the dyno," the Italian said. "But I think it's a learning process.
"We are competing with very established, very expert organisations with fantastic experience from previous years. The regulations are changing, but I'm expecting initially to have a gap to recover. How big it will be, I think you can never know," added Binotto.
Current Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas, who has yet to secure a contract even beyond 2024, shared a measured outlook on Audi's prospects.
"From what I've seen," said the Finn, "Audi can be competitive in 2026. But it's not going to be easy.
"2026 can be good, but trying to win immediately is a long shot. That's the hard reality."
Despite Renault's decision to cut costs and exit its engine project, Audi has no plans to follow a similar approach. Audi CEO Gernot Dollner emphasized the company's commitment: "The upcoming withdrawal of Renault will not affect our decision," he said.
"We have not even discussed this issue internally. Audi has a long-term commitment to Formula 1."
