'We're on an ambitious journey': Audi F1 drivers, team leaders on what it will take to win this year
In less than two months, 22 Formula 1 drivers will converge in Australia to push their cars to the limit and rack up points.
The grand prix marks the first of 24 races this year and 2026 will look a lot different for fans and teams alike.
New regulations are making Formula 1 more sustainable and cost efficient. New electric motors have increased output in the cars. An 11th team, Cadillac, joins the grid. And Audi Revolut, formerly Kick Sauber, debuts its hybrid power unit the team's engineers have been working on tirelessly -- the first time in more than a decade that an F1 powertrain has been built in Germany.
Last week the Audi Revolut F1 Team unveiled its R26 car livery to the world and ABC News spoke to the team about the added pressures, preparation, excitement in the factory and why 2030 could be the year Audi makes history as world champions.
The interviews below have been edited for clarity.
Jonathan Wheatley, Audi Revolut F1 team principal
Q: You have worked with so many team principals in your storied career. What makes a successful team principal and what advice are you giving to Gabi and Niko?
A: I think, first of all, it's about leadership. The team principal role is in many ways about leading by example, setting the right standards, setting the culture for the team. And I've experienced that as a mechanic, as a No. 1 mechanic, as a chief mechanic, as a team manager then a sporting director. Now I get the opportunity to use all of that experience and training and be my own team principal. And I think it's been an extraordinary journey. We've talked about this as a project for ages but today it's manifested itself, it's become real. And that means something.
The advice I am giving to the drivers is to take this opportunity and grasp it with both hands. It's an extraordinary opportunity ... and we can build this car -- they car they need -- and we just need them to be fully focused on the project.
Q: How significant is it that Audi chose to develop its own engine versus using a supplier?
A: Hugely. McLaren unfortunately has proven us all wrong but my opinion has always been that when you see a full works engine installation, when you see car powertrain that has been designed to go together from the very beginning, it's a very different looking car. Do you know what the biggest difference is between the R26 and last year's car? It looks like it's a Formula 1 car from front to back and it's been designed with one purpose.
Q: Are there any particular lessons you've learned from your time at Red Bull that you're applying to the team now?
A: Throughout my career you're going to make mistakes. If you're pushing the targets, if you're pushing human performance, your own performance, you're going to make mistakes. It's how you learn from those mistakes and how you grow. As an organization, you have people who can put their hand up and say, "I made a mistake and this is what we can learn from it."
Our plan is to be a challenger, then a competitor and then a champion. And it's important that people understand that journey. This year we have our internal culture targets. For this year for me it's all about people taking responsibility for their own role in this team.
Q: You mentioned mistakes, but you can't make too many mistakes in Formula 1 or big changes come. So what's tolerable in terms of mistakes?
A: Maybe ask me again at the end of the year [laughs]. I don't think you can qualify it like that. These are hugely professional people I am talking about. And when I talk about mistakes, it's sort of a general term because ... we're on an ambitious journey. We have to catch [up to] these major teams up and you don't do that by not taking risks. So a mistake will be invisible to maybe most of you but we'll know about it internally and it's about how you learn from it. Because we're at the very beginning of this generation of car, there's a huge amount of learning.
Mattia Binotto, head of Audi F1 Project
Q: You have an engineering background. How involved were you in the engine design?
A: I am not anymore. I've never been a good designer from an engine point of view. But I am here to support the team. I am here to give them all the means which are required to become successful.
For us to become a champion, it was important to have our own powertrain, our own power unit. It's an important decision but as well as the right one.
Q: You keep saying by 2030 the team will be ready for a championship. Why 2030?
A: We know it may take a few years ... so 2030 is the right time to fight for a championship, it's the right target. If it can be earlier, we will do it earlier. It's important to do all we can to achieve it.
Q: What are you telling Nico and Gabi?
A: It's a long time from now to 2030. They know what's required, they know we are expecting a lot from them. But in the end they are great drivers, they will collaborate for the team, to help and support the team to become better for the future.
Q: You've been in the sport for so long. Is this the most challenging job you've ever taken in your career?
A: It is. It's also the most fascinating because it's the most challenging.
Q: Have you brought the team to your vineyard?
A: Not yet. First we need to win a race then maybe we can organize it.
Driver Nico Hulkenberg
Q: You're a Le Mans winner. Would you ever consider running that race again while competing in Formula 1?
A: I doubt that any team would allow that and be cool with that now because it brings some risk. F1 has more races now than it did back then so it's a little bit more tricky as well to incorporate. So I think it's a nice idea always but I don't think it's very realistic.
Q: You finally got your first podium in Formula 1 last year. What goals have you set for yourself this year?
A: It's difficult to say because we're entering a completely new era of Formula 1. We haven't done any running yet. It's going to be a challenging year. The car is virtually new. We're a bit in the dark like everyone else. But we want to be competitive, we want to score points. And of course it would be a dream come true to repeat the Silverstone result with Audi.
Q: "Drive to Survive" has gotten many Americans into the sport. Do you get noticed now in the U.S. and what are your thoughts on how the sport has evolved since you first started?
A: It's grown a lot. When I started there was no social media around. I don't think Netflix existed at the time. Obviously these things made the sport known globally. You do get recognized more. But we have a lot of love and passion from fans all around the world and that's great to see and feel.
Q: What do you drive every day and do you actually enjoying driving?
A: I do enjoy driving but I don't enjoy long journeys, long trips. Anything more than two hours, I try to avoid it. I have an Audi RS7 at home. I've had it since last year.
Q: What's your pre-race ritual?
A: Having a good nap. Between the drivers parade and the [start of the race] there's usually about 40-45 minutes and I use half an hour of that time to have a quick recharge.
Driver Gabriel Bortoleto
Q: You're no longer a rookie. How are you approaching your second season in Formula 1?
A: To be honest the same way I approached my rookie season. The approach of being professional and working hard is always the same and I feel like I never really took the rookie title as a thing in F3 or F2 or F1 — it's just another new season. For me it's just going to be all about working hard and preparing [for] the season as much as I can as well as learning from my mistakes.
Q: How much time have you spent in the simulator?
A: Oh, a lot. How many days is difficult to say. At home I was doing sim every day.
If I could, I wouldn't even have a winter break. It was nice to spend a bit of time with family but I feel like after five days I was already feeling a bit useless, I was away from the factory and the team, I was like, "I want to go back."
Q: What's your favorite track in the U.S.?
A: I prefer Austin -- the track layout is incredible.
