Preparations in Ingolstadt are in full swing – Audi presents a personnel change that no one expected – An experienced driver is back
Surprise at Audi: The Ingolstadt-based company is continuing to push ahead with its preparations for entering Formula 1 and has announced a personnel decision that few would have expected. Ralph Boschung is coming out of retirement from racing and will become the official development driver for the future works team.
This marks a new chapter in the 28-year-old Swiss driver’s career. Boschung had actually announced the end of his active career on social media in 2024. But the call of the premier class—and especially Audi’s ambitious project—was apparently too tempting.
Experienced puzzle piece alongside Freddie Slater
Boschung is no stranger to the world of formula racing. Between 2017 and 2023, he was a fixture in Formula 2. He reached his personal highlight in his farewell season in 2023, when he celebrated an emotional race victory for Campos. He will now bring this experience to the Audi driver development program, where he will work alongside British top talent Slater.
The German junior program, which was officially launched at the end of January 2026, is under prominent leadership: none other than three-time Le Mans winner and former Formula 1 driver Allan McNish is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
McNish: “We’re not just looking for raw speed”
For McNish, the task is more than just a job. “It is a great honor and a responsibility that I approach with great passion to find the cornerstones for the future Audi team,” explains the Scotsman.
He clearly sets the direction: “This brand is based on the history of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ (advancement through technology). This philosophy must apply to our young drivers as well as to our cars.”
According to McNish, Audi is not just interested in lap times: “We are looking for resilience, intelligence, and a team-oriented mindset. Our goal is to build a path that transforms potential into precision and performance on the world stage.“
Long-term vision until 2030
Team boss Jonathan Wheatley also emphasizes the importance of youth development for the success of the overall project. Investing in the ”champions of tomorrow” is a central pillar of the strategy.
“The development program is a clear statement of our long-term commitment to young people and our ambition to be competitive,” says Wheatley. With McNish at the helm, the aim is to form a winning team by 2030. “This program will be an integral part of our vision to build the team and shape the future of Audi in Formula 1.”