In an interview, Gernot Döllner talks about the future direction of the Audi brand, which is not compatible with Christian Horner’s V10 dreams, for example.
When the Formula 1 engine manufacturers discussed what the power unit of the future might look like in Bahrain a good two weeks ago, some took a clearer stance than others. Audi is one of the manufacturers for whom a return to V10 naturally aspirated engines is considered virtually unthinkable. And that’s not surprising in the bigger picture.
While Christian Horner, who represented Red Bull Powertrains at the meeting, can well imagine Formula 1 switching to traditional, loud naturally aspirated engines powered by sustainable e-fuels, this path seems to be a no-go for some of the major car manufacturers.
Against this backdrop, an interview given by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner to the Süddeutsche Zeitung at the end of March is interesting. In it, he says, among other things: “Just look at everything that has happened in the past two years alone. First, e-mobility couldn’t happen fast enough. And then it was back to ‘it’ll never work’. But these are just fluctuations on a long journey. The future will definitely be electric.”
It is important to note that Döllner is not talking about Formula 1 in particular in the interview, but about the direction of the Audi brand as a whole. But one thing is clear: when the Audi CEO says that the future will “definitely be electric,” then an orientation toward Formula 1, in which Audi will be represented by its own works team from 2026 (based on the current Sauber team), with conventional naturally aspirated engines is virtually unthinkable. At least with Audi.
For Döllner, the emotionally charged political debate about the end of combustion engines, particularly in Germany, “would have been over two years ago. Unfortunately, what this goal was all about has been forgotten: measures to combat climate change. We should avoid looking back one day and realizing that we are lagging behind in our goal of becoming CO2-neutral,” he says.
In any case, Audi is “working consistently to make our portfolio fully electric. The future of Audi is electric,” says Döllner, adding: “In the end, it’s the customers who decide. And many of them are currently very unsettled when doubts about e-mobility are expressed publicly. What’s more, the price of electricity for fast charging is sometimes so high that there is no incentive whatsoever to give up combustion engines.”
Audi is currently undergoing a transformation phase that will see 7,500 jobs cut in Germany by the end of 2029. In the medium term, the restructuring measures are expected to save around one billion euros per year. Döllner said in May: “Audi must become faster, more agile, and more efficient. One thing is clear: this cannot be achieved without personnel adjustments.”
However, the Formula 1 program is not currently considered to be at risk. In November 2024, Audi brought the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) on board as a strategic partner, which now controls a “significant minority stake.” According to Döllner, this measure “underlines Audi’s commitment to Formula 1” and does not represent an exit scenario.
