F1: Audi appoints Thomas Fuhr CEO of its engine arm

Audi is strengthening the leadership of its Formula 1 programme: Thomas Fuhr, a former Mercedes executive, becomes CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, the Neuburg-based company that develops and builds the team's power unit. He starts on 1 November 2026.

A vacancy since 2025

The CEO post of the engine division had been vacant since Adam Baker left at the beginning of 2025. In Audi's reorganisation that year, responsibility for chassis and engine moved under Mattia Binotto, Audi's team chief executive and team principal. With this appointment, the CEO role at Neuburg is restored.

Thomas Fuhr's profile

Thomas Fuhr brings more than 30 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing and corporate leadership. His career:

• managing director of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains from 2009 to 2012, the Mercedes arm linked to performance engines;
• senior roles at GROHE and then LIXIL;
• most recently chief technology officer at Georg Fischer Building Flow Solutions.

What changes at Neuburg

Fuhr's arrival reshuffles the roles:

• Stefan Dreyer, chief technical officer, can focus fully on technical development of the engine;
• Christian Foyer, chief operating officer, keeps oversight of day-to-day operations at the site.

Mattia Binotto, who announced the appointment, pointed out that the Neuburg team developed Audi's first F1 power unit from the ground up, and says he wants Audi to become the best manufacturer in F1. Jürgen Rittersberger, CFO of AUDI AG and chairman of the shareholders' meeting of Audi Formula Racing, sees F1 as a long-term strategic commitment.

A first-season backdrop

Audi is in its first F1 season as a works manufacturer, after taking over the Sauber team. The appointment shows the brand wants to structure its engine arm for the long term, beyond this first year.

Mattia Binotto remains the face of the whole project, as both team chief executive and team principal. Thomas Fuhr's role is clearly defined: running the company that designs and builds the power unit, in support of Audi's stated ambition to become the best manufacturer in F1.