Audi's "target" is to fight for F1 title by 2030, says Mattia Binotto

Motorsport photoAudi boss Mattia Binotto has set a target of competing for the Formula 1 championship by 2030 after a steady start for the series debutant.The German marque took Sauber’s spot on the F1 grid for 2026, and nine rounds into the campaign it is ninth in the standings with six points via sophomore Gabriel Bortoleto.Although Bortoleto's veteran team-mate Nico Hulkenberg is yet to score a point, Audi has still been competitive with a Q2 appearance at every grand prix including three progressions into Q3.

So it is something to build on, and the hope is to lay the foundations across the coming years in time for the next regulation switch, intended for 2031."We've actually set ourselves a goal that extends well beyond 2026 and 2027,” Binotto told Motorsport.“Our target is 2030: we want to build a team capable of competing for the world championship.

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Mattia Binotto, Audi F1 TeamGabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Mattia Binotto, Audi F1 Team“We know there will be important milestones along this journey. The first, for us, will likely be 2028, when we expect to make a further leap in quality.“That's why I see 2026 and 2027 primarily as years of construction, rather than years judged solely on racing results.

“At this stage, I'm most interested in seeing the company grow. Just over a hundred people work on the track, but behind the scenes there are around 1,400 working every day on the chassis and power unit.“Often, people only look at the team on the track, but that's the visible part of the project.

The track is the icing on the cake. But first, we have to build the cake.“For me, the most important results over the next two years will be those related to the growth of the organisation."

It is clear already where the R26 needs improving, and that is in the power unit, as last time out at Silverstone both Bortoleto and Hulkenberg were towards the back in the qualifying speed trap.Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 TeamNico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team