Ex-F1 champion claims Audi will not get ‘success overnight’ in F1

A lot has been made of Audi's 2026 arrival at the pinnacle of motor racing.

Ex-F1 champion claims Audi will not get ‘success overnight’ in F1

Audi (Via IMAGO)

Audi confirmed its venture onto the F1 grid in 2026 with Sauber. This sparked numerous conversations and debates about whether the German manufacturer would be a competitive team outright or would have to struggle to achieve glory. Furthermore, the former F1 world champion, Jacques Villeneuve has commented on which possibility might be true.

Audi has an extensive history of involvement in motorsports. Further, to expand on the array of motorsport history, the German manufacturer decided to enter into the F1 landscape with the onset of new regulations in 2026. Also, recently, Audi decided to buy out Sauber rather than the proposed 75% equity that was initially planned.

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However, this announcement also brings a set of questions that need to be asked, which have been answered by Jacques Villeneuve.

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They join a team that hasn't been competitive for many years. You can't invent know-how, it's something that you builds over time. You can see it with Williams. For a while they were good, but the price of the pilots with the suitcase and everything else is paid late. Now the team is rebuilding, but it doesn't happen overnight. It also takes time.
Jacques Villeneuve said in an interview with Sports Illustrated

The 1997 F1 champion complained that Audi was taking over a team that had been trundling around the rear of the pack in recent years. Subsequently, he compared it to the Williams team’s operation and how they have lost their charm over the years and are in an intensive process of rebuilding.

So, the Canadian has warned the German manufacturer to not have high hopes from the onset. Moreover, it is not an overnight process and will take time to build the team.

Jacques Villeneuve claimed big manufacturers may be more of a bane than a boon

For the past few years, F1 and the FIA have been pushing for major brands to come in and make their presence known on the F1 grid. However, the entry of major automobile makers might bring a different set of challenges altogether.

Jacques Villeneuve
Jacques Villeneuve (Via IMAGO)

Subsequently, Villeneuve has laid out the dangers that the sport might face with the entry of big names.

The danger of the builders, when they arrive, is that they can easily decide in five minutes: "Ok, we're leaving, bye" and leave without worrying. They are great for sports, but they are also very dangerous from this point of view.
Jacques Villeneuve said in an interview with Sports Illustrated

The 53-year-old stated that when the big names come in, they have the option to leave the sport if they reckon their investment is not working out(like Toyota). FOM has always maintained a very stringent stance regarding new teams potentially entering the grid. But keeping in view the pace at which F1 has been evolving, it will be fascinating to see what the future holds for the sport.

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