“Every year regulations and limitations make the teams more innovative and this year is no different” says James Key, Technical Director of Audi F1 Revolut.

We had a chance to talk to James Key at the reveal and launch of the Audi F1 Revolut car in Berlin and got an informative insight on how technicality is moving the new F1 team towards a title by the year 2030 if everything goes according to their plans.

What we’ll get to see in Bahrain

There is a lot to learn about these newly developed cars. With a run already done previously in January, there is already a viewpoint from where this will go forward for the drivers. Track data and engine data needs to be collected for the engineers in Neubergen. In Bahrain Audi will be focusing on the performance side of things says James Key, Technical DIrector, Audi F1 Revolut

Early Shakedown for Audi

James Key said “For Audi this was not a last minute thing, everything was planned almost 18 months in advance as they knew it was going to come one day. With one new guy on board, they wanted to get their track references in as soon as possible.” “Aero defines the car, but before the shakedown, everything is just speculative. We wanted to go for as long as possible so we did about 50 kms that day to get enough track references.”

Engine and chassis built different than it was in 2014

When asked about the engine and chassis differences from earier, James Key told us that “It will not be as monumental as it was in 2014, but there is a major difference in the way the power units interact to give the optimum output. Aero is top priority but the difference will be stark. With enough track data collected over the years, the parameters of every minute detail will be adjusted for the peak performance which will influence the lap times more than they could at that time.”

Limitations and regulations in 2026

James Key is of the opinion that “There is room for a lot on design innovation with the new set of limitations and regulations, but we will have to wait for Melbourne to actually see what everyone is going to be racing with. With everything being almost as restricted as last year, over time their will be solutions emerging across the board.

Realistic goal is 2030

“The whole team has been setting realistic goals as we know we do not have it in us at point in time to be at the absolute top. But nonetheless, steps are being taken to give Audi F1 the best opportunity for that top spot as soon as possible” according to James Key when questioned about winning the title

Barcelona and the cars that will run

James Key feels that “the field this year is cutting edge, the power unit guys are the actual people to ask for that answer but for now their is no accurate information of whether the cars will be running the definitive spec or will it be something that is still being worked upon.”

Thoughts of the technical team on the regulations

With the regulations and limitations getting stricter with every season, that is where the innovation of the engineers shines the brightest as says the Technical Director of Audi F1. “From suspension to bodywork, everything will be revisited with a different thought with the new limitations”

Audi’s strengths in F1 2026

James Key said “it’s just year one, we’re do not guarantee winning in the very first season, but with the new blank sheet of paper with the regs, you can disassociate the team with the previous cars, the new cars are built with no legacy, but from scratch. The Audi car hs been meticulously planned and having been worked in 4 different teams, their is a unique mindset that is there from my side”

Hopefully FA supports the right side

“Unlike the previous year we hope that the FA will conduct serious checks and get a level playing field to the track in 2026” said James Key. “No one wants to sit a season out with someone else has a blatant advantage over them and that nothing can be done for.”

Minimum weight for 2026

“This team in 2022 turned up 15 kilos underweight whereas some bigger teams turned out to be overweight. This year we’re not sure, I’ve heard some are also uncomfortable with the situation and it has been a tough target for many. You never truly know the right numbers until you have the car full assembled” said James Key on the minimum weight

Factory visit to look at the car

The car is close to completion, there is nothing that has been carried over from the previous designs, other than the knowledge. Not just the car but Audi has also been building the team side by side, which means a lot of investment in new research and technologies that were not already present said James Key when asked about seeing the car at the factory.

New active front and rear aero

We asked James Key about the new active front and rear aero bits on the car and was please in telling us that “there is now more emphasis on other parts of the car than just the floor. It is tight due to geometry but managing to get the most out of it. The rear wing is the most focused part as it needs to be operating in a way we want it to and also be supplied with a healthy onset flow which gives adequate downforce.”

After effects of the car crash in Gambia

“The after effects of that crash had an impact on the initial plan as we were making parts for that very cars, but again the team moved heaven and earth to get back from that incident. New wings, new parts all whilst doing the other car at the same time. Its an unique opportunity with Audi and we are motivated by the possibilities” says James Key.