The Audi factory is "hectic" and a hive of activity despite the carmaker still being a few years away from entering Formula 1.
The world-famous automotive brand has already signed up for F1's new engine regulations, which will come into force for the 2026 season. Rather than forming their own operation, Sauber – currently racing under the Alfa Romeo banner – will become the Audi works team from that year onwards.
The Sauber base at Hinwil in Switzerland will remain a key facility, where the car itself will be designed and manufactured. Audi's factory in Neuburg, Germany, will be where the new power units will be created.
While there are still many questions to be answered, the Audi project is full steam ahead. Andreas Seidl was poached from McLaren to become the new Sauber chief executive, while British motorsport legend Allan McNish is director of coordination at Audi's motorsport arm.
The three-time Le Mans champion, who also raced in F1 for Toyota in 2002, has lifted the lid on the hard work going on even so far out from Audi's F1 debut. "I tell you, it's been a very busy last 18 months, certainly," he told the Motor Sport Magazine podcast.
"2022 has been pretty much hectic, like I've never seen before. To think that '26 is still quite a long way away... but it's only around the corner.
"I've been involved now for over 20 years with Audi, and this is part of that progression. It's an exciting time. I don't think there's anybody within the company that's not looking forward to that first race in 2026."
While Audi has experience in motorsport, F1 is a whole different kettle of fish – and McNish understands that. He added: "Obviously I was with Toyota at Le Mans, and then jumping into F1 it was a completely different game. Just in terms of the personnel, [it] had to multiply by three, to be able to produce an F1 programme.
"The difference between, I would say, people that are fighting in the middle, where I have to be honest, Toyota were towards the end of the season, at best, to where you're fighting for race victories, is a huge gulf. I don't think anybody can underestimate that sort of level."
