Overview
- AudI formally unveiled its junior academy, with three-time Le Mans winner Allan McNish put in charge to identify and develop future team cornerstones.
- McNish said selection will prioritize resilience, intelligence and a team-first mindset in addition to raw speed, aligning with the brand’s philosophy.
- The initiative extends beyond drivers to cultivate young designers, engineers and mechanics, embedding Audi’s methods within the Hinwil operation.
- Team principal Jonathan Wheatley presented the academy as a long-term investment, tying it to Audi’s stated goal of building a race-capable outfit by around 2030.
- Audi’s car has already turned initial laps after its recent presentation, with performance signals expected from Barcelona testing on Jan. 26–30 and Bahrain in mid-February ahead of the March 8 Melbourne opener; reported moves include Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto as drivers and added expertise such as Mattia Binotto.