\u201cYes, why shouldn’t we accept that? I mean, the Nuvolari has a V8 so we don’t have problems with V8 engines,\u201d Dollner said, referring to the new hybrid supercar that Audi officially launched on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you have to see that in the overall context. To just pick one question of a regulation is not really answering the overall question of where do you want to go with the regulation. The FIA is leading the process, we are part of that process, and I’m very optimistic that the outcome will be a good one.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Watch: Ferrari’s key strengths in Monaco, Verstappen a surprising outsider? | 2026 Monaco Grand Prix Friday<\/p>\n
According to Dollner, it is even more important for Audi that the engine remains turbocharged, as efficiency is a crucial pillar of the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer\u2019s long-term vision:\u00a0\u201cThat’s definitely more important than talking about the number of cylinders. That’s crystal clear from an Audi perspective. We prefer turbo due to the efficiency aspect. That is more important than the number of cylinders.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Audi CEO also stressed that F1\u2019s future regulations cannot be reduced to a discussion about cylinders alone. In his view, the broader vision for the series matters more.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalking about Formula 1 regulations, the most important aspect for Audi is that we keep the idea of being sustainable and having a regulation that has energy efficiency in the focus as a main pillar of Formula 1 regulations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Why Audi is not surprised by F1’s changing direction<\/p>\n
Audi is not surprised by the way F1\u2019s long-term outlook appears to have evolved over recent months.<\/p>\n
When the four-ring brand committed to F1, it did so amid a strong push towards electrification. However, Domenicali has argued that the automotive industry has shifted course since then and is placing greater emphasis on the combustion engine.<\/p>\n
It is a view shared by Dollner, who acknowledged that Audi itself has also adjusted what were initially very ambitious electrification targets.<\/p>\n
![\"Changes](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/honda-power-unit.jpg\")
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Changes for the 2027 power units are under discussion<\/p>\n
Photo by: Honda<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the automotive industry there was a global push towards electrification. Now we have a little bit of a backswing, but to put that into perspective, on the long end we will still see more and more electrification in the world,\u201d he said when asked by Autosport.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut for the next one or two, maybe three decades, we will still see combustion engines in high performance cars. That’s for sure.\u00a0Formula 1, with the sustainable fuels, is showing that you can have a combustion engine and be sustainable at the same time. I’m not surprised by that discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n
In fact, this direction is directly reflected in Audi\u2019s corporate strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I became responsible for Audi as CEO, there was a decision within Audi to go all electric by 2032, and we also changed our strategies. They are being more realistic in that approach to be more flexible.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, flexibility in the technologies, combustion engine, plug-in hybrids, battery electric is our path to the future and we will need regional differences to meet the customer requirements.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd so, a little bit it’s the same in Formula 1. You have to see where the trend is but definitely hybridisation, sustainability will play a role and that’s in line with our strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n
That means a V8 engine could be acceptable for Audi, provided that the bigger picture \u2013 and the FIA-led process behind it \u2013 develops in the desired direction:\u00a0\u201cWe trust the process and we believe that the result will be a regulation where Audi is able to tick all the boxes.\u201d<\/p>\n
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