The Audi F1 Team has announced a driver development programme, with former F1 driver Allan McNish as its director. The announcement is a next step in Audi’s ambition to become champion by 2030.
Statement of intent
The Audi Driver Development Programme is a clear statement of intent. The German team brands it a “cornerstone of the team’s F1 ambitions”. It underlines that the Hinwill-based outfit is in it for the long run.
Audi has seen successes in endurance racing, rallying and Formula E. So the question is “when” rather than “if” they will be successfull on the most prestigious stage of all.
Team principal Jonathan Wheatley confirms this statement of intent.
“Investing in the champions of tomorrow is a key pillar of our Formula One strategy,” he explains. “The Audi Driver Development Programme is a clear statement of our long-term commitment to youth and our ambition to be competitive.
“With Allan McNish, we have a director who not only has an incredible track record in motorsport but also embodies the spirit and dedication of our operations. Under his leadership, this programme will be integral to our vision for 2030, our goal of building a winning team and shaping the future of Audi in Formula One.”
Allan McNish logical F1 development director as ‘Mister Audi’
The choice for Allan McNish as the director of Audi F1’s development programme is an obvious one. He drove for Toyota in the 2001 F1 season, but has since then almost exclusively competed with Audi.
The Scot has won two of his three 24 hours of Le Mans victories for the Ingolstadt brand. He also won the World Endurance Championship and the American Le Mans Series with them.
Subsequently he was the team principal of Audi’s Formula E team from 2017 until the brand left the series.
So leading the Audi Driver Development Programme for their F1 team is the logical next step for McNish.
“To be entrusted with finding the cornerstones of the future Audi Revolut F1 Team is a great honour and a responsibility I am very passionate about. This brand is built on a history of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’, and that philosophy must apply to our young drivers as much as to our cars.
“We are not just looking for raw speed; we are looking for the resilience, intelligence, and team-driven mindset that defines a future Audi champion.
“Our goal is to build a pathway that turns potential into precision and performance on the world stage. I am thrilled to begin this work and identify the first generation of talent to join this ambitious project.”
