Audi’s decision to enter Formula 1 from 2026, coinciding with significant regulatory changes, signifies a remarkable shift. The heart of the engine will beat with a V6 turbo engine, while the electric element will contribute half the power to the entire unit, signifying a pivotal step towards sustainability by transitioning to sustainable fuels.

Already gearing up for its inaugural appearance in the upper echelons of motorsport, Audi’s Formula 1 development center in Neuburg, Germany has welcomed Dávid Szegletes as one of its members. A proud alumnus of Széchenyi István University, Szegletes expresses his fulfillment in working at Audi, a dream he has transformed into reality through dedication and the opportunities provided by his alma mater.

Szegletes’s journey began in Nagykanizsa and led him to Széchenyi University, where he pursued a vehicle engineering bachelor’s degree in Hungarian and a master’s degree in English. The university’s environment, coupled with its student teams of international acclaim, captivated Szegletes’s attention. His engagement with the SZEngine Team, specializing in engine development for the Formula Student series, exposed him to various aspects of engine dynamics and technology, fostering a wealth of practical knowledge.

The bridge between Szegletes and Audi Hungaria in Győr was solidified during his student years. An internship in electric drive development marked the inception of his collaboration with Audi, eventually evolving into a full-time role as a development engineer while pursuing his master’s degree.

Last year, an unprecedented opportunity emerged when Audi advertised open positions for its Formula 1 project. Szegletes seized the chance and was elated to be selected, embarking on a new chapter as a development engineer in Neuburg in January.

In his role as a powertrain component constructor, Szegletes is primarily involved with selector mechanisms, a task akin to the fast-paced dynamism of Formula Student. As Audi readies itself for its Formula 1 debut, Szegletes’s fingerprints will adorn the power unit, a testament to his dedication and ingenuity.

Beyond his contributions, Szegletes aspires to venture into the realm of a race engineer, potentially traversing the globe with the Formula 1 circuit. Regardless of his future roles, Szegletes remains confident that Audi will assert its presence on the Formula 1 battleground, poised for victory and accomplishment.

The court heard from prosecutor Mark Hambling that the 34-year-old, who was represented at the hearing by defence solicitor Chris Read, had been caught out on Rock Hill in Bromsgrove after getting behind the wheel of an Audi A6 while over the drug-driving limit on February 17.

An evidential blood test revealed he had 61 microgrammes of controlled class A drug cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50.

Butler, of Saltmarsh Castle Caravan Park, Bromyard, was fined £120 and disqualified from driving for 12 months, with magistrates saying they had taken his guilty plea into account when imposing the penalty. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £135.

The company sold almost 27,000 units of the Q4 e-tron during the second quarter

Key to Audi’s recent success is its all-electric car sales, which have reached new heights. In Q2 2023, the brand recorded the sale of approximately 41,100 battery electric vehicles (BEVs), a 59 percent increase from the same period last year. Audi’s BEVs accounted for 8.4 percent of total vehicle sales during Q2, up from 6.5 percent a year ago. The Audi Q4 e-tron, based on the MEB platform and available in Sportback version, shone as the star of the brand’s electric lineup. With an impressive 26,700 units sold in Q2, the Q4 e-tron represented almost two-thirds of all Audi BEVs sold.

In the first half of 2023, Audi recorded a 51 percent year-over-year increase in BEV sales, totaling 75,600 units, making up 8.3 percent of the brand’s total sales for the period. Looking back to 2022, Audi sold a total of 118,196 all-electric vehicles worldwide, witnessing a 44 percent year-over-year increase. At that time, BEVs accounted for about 7.3 percent of the brand’s total sales.

Committed to a greener and more sustainable future, Audi has announced its plan to introduce only all-electric models to the global market from 2026 onwards, signaling a decisive shift away from internal combustion engines and reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

A Design That Transcends Time

The Audi A4’s design philosophy is a testament to the brand’s commitment to aesthetic harmony and functional elegance. Its sleek lines, contours that seem to flow seamlessly into each other, and the iconic Singleframe grille all contribute to a visual identity that is both distinctive and timeless. Whether cruising through city streets or making a statement on the highway, the A4’s design ensures it remains a head-turner wherever it goes.

Performance That Speaks Volumes

Underneath its elegant exterior lies a heart that pounds with the thrill of high-performance engineering. The Audi A4 boasts a range of efficient yet powerful engines, offering a blend of exhilarating acceleration and impressive fuel economy. Coupled with precise handling and advanced suspension systems, the driving experience is one that marries comfort with agility, making every journey a memorable one.

Innovation That Sets the Pace

Audi has always been synonymous with technological advancements, and the A4 is no exception. From its intuitive infotainment systems that seamlessly integrate with your digital life to advanced driver-assistance features that enhance safety and convenience, the A4 is a testament to how technology can elevate the driving experience. It’s not just a car; it’s a smart, connected space that moves with you.

A Legacy of Leadership

Over the years, the Audi A4 has garnered accolades and awards, cementing its status as a leader in the compact executive segment. Its ability to consistently evolve, staying ahead of trends while retaining its core values of quality, design, and performance, is what sets it apart. The A4 isn’t just a car; it’s a statement, a reflection of those who appreciate the finer details and expect nothing but the best.

In conclusion, the Audi A4 continues to reign supreme, not just because of its individual attributes but because it embodies a holistic approach to automotive excellence. It’s a car that understands the needs and desires of modern drivers, offering a package that is as practical as it is desirable. As the world moves forward, the Audi A4 remains a timeless icon, leading the way with its unique blend of elegance, performance, and innovation.

The decision about Audi’s impending departure was communicated to its 300 customers last Monday, following a board-level meeting.

A number of teams have since reacted poorly to the news, with heavy criticism being directed at Audi CEO Markus Duesmann, who is understood to have directed all of its resources to its upcoming Formula 1 project in 2026 at the cost of its existing programmes in motorsport.

“That was the flagship of Audi Sport and [its slogan] Vorsprung durch Technik,” ex-Phoenix Racing boss Ernst Moser, whose works Audi team enjoyed plenty of success in both the DTM and at the Nordschleife, told Motorsport.com’s sister website Motorsport-Total.com.

“For me, this is also a personal issue of certain people in the upper decision-making circles: before he leaves, someone wants to do everything so that the Formula 1 commitment has to be implemented.

“The people it affects don’t deserve to have a structure like that die.

“This is his personal opinion and he does not know why they want to do Formula 1 now and nothing else.

“You could have let it continue with small budgets, because the customers and their partners pay for almost everything themselves.

“But if this little plant continues to grow, it could perhaps be dangerous for the Formula 1 project. That is why it is no longer watered and dried out.

“That’s my impression: everything that could perhaps still prevent the Formula 1 project [from happening] is now being destroyed.”

Vosse unimpressed

WRT team boss Vincent Vosse, who switched to BMW with his squad last year after enjoying scoring multiple titles and race wins with Audi, also hit out at Deusemann’s decision to cut its involvement in customer racing.

“I think it’s exactly what is happening now, it’s exactly what they want to happen,” Vosse told Motorsport-Total.com. “This I have no doubt.

“It’s not something which just happened now. it’s something that has been decided years ago, I would say 1.5 maybe two years ago, it’s just the impact of the decision that was taken two years ago.

“I guess when Markus Duesmann arrived and decided to stop DTM Class 1, that was the first step.

“But very quickly he decided to stop motorsport in general and put all the effort in Formula 1.

“If they win in Formula 1, everyone will forget very quickly what happened. But I have my doubts.”

Vosse also believes a double programme was easily possible, as Mercedes has proved by winning eight consecutive titles in F1 while continuing to feature heavily in GT3 racing.

“Now they concentrate on Formula 1 but it’s not because they are doing [F1],” he said.

“I mean Mercedes have won eight world championships while doing customer racing.

“It’s a joke. I mean. That thing is just a joke. Formula 1 has got nothing to do with customer racing.

“The costs are not high and they were very happy to be able to use it for the last 12 or 14 years.”

Attempto team boss Arkin Aka, who competes with his Audi team in the DTM and in GT World Challenge Europe, also cannot understand the decision to focus solely on F1.

“Motorsport has to be broad-based,” he told Motorsport-Total.com.

“Porsche has set an example and the Mercedes brand does not only Formula 1, but also GT racing. They all bring new models, so I ask myself: why doesn’t Audi do that?”

“When you consider that Audi was one of the most successful brands, it’s hard to understand.”

Full exit averted

Audi was originally planning to shut down its customer racing arm entirely, but a decision was later made to continue to provide technical support and spare parts until 2032, ensuring teams can race its cars across GT3, GT4 and TCR categories.

Asked if that gave some hope, WRT’s Vosse said: “I hope so, I hope for them [the employees].

“But of course, not closing completely, they have to respect at least the customers they have and they have to. They still have to sell parts.”

Moser added: “You have to live up to your contracts. When you sell cars, you have to provide some years of service and spare parts.”

Duesmann will step down as the CEO of Audi from September 1, with his place to be taken over by Gernot Dollner.

Asked if Dollner could reassess the situation and make further changes to Audi Customer Sport, Moser said: “I am definitely happy that there is a change. And I would like it to happen, but I have no idea in which direction it will go.

“Name and reputation ruined in a few months.”

Aka added: “Duesmann hasn’t done the Audi brand much good. These visions he has [regarding electric mobility] were really just visions that can’t be implemented. I hope they have come to the realisation that they should actually listen to the customer.”

Vosse feels Audi’s high-profile exits from Class 1 DTM, Formula E, customer racing, plus the axing of its LMDh programme, undoes the work put in previously to build the Audi Sport brand.

“I feel sad for those who have built the name of Audi Sport, like Dr Ullrich, Dieter Gass, Romolo Liebchen, Chris Reinke, Siegfried Krausem, who built the name Audi Sport, achieved so much,” he said.

“This name or what they did is being broken in a little bit more than just a few months. So to destroy this incredible reputation these people have built, I feel sorry and bad for them.

“To kill this reputation quickly is a shame.”

Moser described Audi’s current customer racing boss Chris Reinke as a “passenger”,  adding: “I’m sure he made his 100th presentation, but nobody cares. That kind of thing ruins you.”

Audi continues to fund its factory entry in the Dakar Rally, but it is expected that its rally-raid programme with the RS Q e-tron could come to a close at the end of the 2024 season.

This would therefore leave no active project under Audi Sport boss Rolf Michl.

Audi’s F1 project is housed under a new company Audi Formula Racing GmbH, which is officially a subsidiary of Audi Sport GmbH. But F1 Managing Director Adam Baker reports directly to Audi’s Chief Development Officer Oliver Hoffmann.

Firstly, Audi cars are known for their high-quality engineering and excellent build quality. Audi uses high-quality materials and the latest technology to produce its vehicles, which means that they are designed to last for many years. This makes Audi cars a good option to buy used, as they are likely to have a longer lifespan than other cars in their class.

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However, as with any used car, it’s essential to do your research and due diligence before making a purchase. When buying a used Audi, it’s essential to look for signs of wear and tear, such as scratches, dents, and rust. It’s also essential to check the car’s service history to ensure that it has been well-maintained.

Overall, Audi is a great car brand to consider when buying a used car. Audi cars are known for their high-quality engineering, reliability, and resale value, which makes them a smart investment in the long run. However, as with any used car purchase, it’s essential to do your research and due diligence before making a purchase. By taking the time to research and inspect the car thoroughly, you can ensure that you’re buying a high-quality used Audi that will provide you with many years of reliable driving.