Adam Baker, global head of the Audi Project in Formula 1: “These are times of change and we want to be part of that transformation”
MADRID, 17 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The global head of the Audi project for Formula 1, Adam Baker, described as “realistic” to start winning in the competition from his third year, that is, in 2028, after announcing his foray into the ‘Great Circus’ since 2026 as a motorcyclist for a team that will be announced “at the end of the year”.
“We would love to be competitive from the start, but we are realistic. We want to win races in the third year, if we compare with other manufacturers, the difference is that now they are trying to rebalance with capitalization. Everyone is going to weave that develop new concepts and financial restrictions. Before there could be certain advantages, but three years seems to us a realistic path”, commented Baker in the first press conference after the announcement of the registration in the competition on August 26.
At an event in Madrid, Baker, accompanied by José Miguel Aparicio, general director of Audi Spain, outlined some details of the project, which is already being developed at its Neuburg facilities. “It is a fantastic project, we are excited, it will be a challenge. These are changing times and Audi wants to be part of the transformation. We will achieve this thanks to the product, Formula 1 is a fantastic marketing platform, the ideal place for Audi to show knowledge and technical skills,” he stressed.
“We understand and recognize the scale of the challenge, we have it in mind. But we want to show that we can achieve success. The members of this Council know a lot about Formula 1, and they know well what the challenges are. If we compare ourselves with other houses, we are in a somewhat different situation. We have a long time until the first race, 42 months”, he analyzed about the risk and options of the factory in the competition.
Baker pointed out that one of the advantages of adapting faster and catching up with its rivals is “the magnitude of the change in regulations”, which will be “tremendous”, the “greatest change in modern times”. “It will be a challenge for those who are already there. 2026 is a very attractive entry point,” he added.
And to achieve “success” in Formula 1, at Audi they are aware that the choice of the team with which they will collaborate from 2026 is key. “We consider all the alternatives. We work with a partner and we will announce it later this year,” Baker advanced, who assured that they are not looking for a “specific client”, although finding the “suitable partner is essential” to win.
As for the pilots who will be part of the final development of the single-seater, the head of the German company did not want to give any names, but denied contacts with Spanish pilots. “It would be fantastic if Carlos Sainz Jr were in the structure, he is very good, but there is a long way to go until 2026. We understand the interest in pilots, but it is difficult to know what will happen between now and 2026,” he stressed, before confessing that the figure of a “veteran” pilot would be important to grow.
For Baker it is “very important” to have “certainty” about the allowed costs and the budget limit from 2023 for the “third era” of this sport. Thus, although he did not advance the budget that the engine factory has, he did speak of a “solid margin for the long term.”
“To be successful in Formula 1 you have to have it all, not just focus on one field. We are thinking behind the scenes, the whole package. We will invest in the entire team. In Formula 1 you have to be more innovative than the competition. , and with a limited cost,” he added.
For this reason, Baker advanced that there will be the necessary investment during this year 2022, before entering the limit for 2023, all this added to a current team of 130 people, which will rise to more than 300 in the final stages of the project.
“We have an excellent team, we have started very early with very competent technicians. Since the announcement we are building the team very quickly. There is money for internal and external costs, before the end of the year we will start engine tests,” he said.
In relation to the single-seater with which Audi announced its entry as a motorcyclist in Formula 1, with typical colors of the brand, which they already wore in the past Dakar, Baker explained that they wanted to accompany the news with “something tangible, a symbol”. “We prepare the car very secretly, it is a vision of the car, without taking into account the sponsors. It is a canvas, a blank page. It is not an Audi design, but of course as soon as it is an Audi it is important in historical terms. the name,” he said.
Comparing himself to Mercedes, Baker said the challenge for Audi is “different”. Mercedes started very early, but now we have all learned from that lesson. We are comfortable with our development horizon, we are doing very well in terms of schedule, “she said.
Finally, from Audi Spain they highlighted that Baker is the “ideal person to develop” the “precious”. “Audi has a lot of determination, a great leader, the resources and a great project,” concluded Aparicio.
