Audi has appointed Thomas Fuhr as chief executive officer of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, strengthening the leadership of its Formula 1 power unit programme ahead of its entry into the sport.
Fuhr will assume the role on November 1, 2026, at the company’s development and manufacturing base in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany. He brings more than 30 years of international engineering and executive experience, including a previous stint leading Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains.
The appointment, according to Brandspur Brand News, is intended to give Audi’s technical leadership greater room to concentrate on developing its Formula 1 power unit while strengthening the organisation responsible for delivering the project.
Stefan Dreyer, Audi Formula Racing’s chief technology officer, will focus on the technical development of the power unit, while Christian Foyer will remain chief operating officer, overseeing activities at the Neuburg facility.
Fuhr previously served as managing director of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains between 2009 and 2012. He later held senior leadership positions at GROHE and LIXIL before becoming chief technology officer of Georg Fischer Building Flow Solutions, where he led international engineering and manufacturing operations.
Audi is counting on his experience in technology, production and organisational leadership to help prepare its Formula 1 operation for the demands of competing at the highest level of motorsport.
Mattia Binotto, chief executive officer and team principal of the Audi Revolut F1 Team, said the Neuburg operation had already established the foundations for the manufacturer’s first Formula 1 power unit. He expects Fuhr to build on that progress by strengthening the team and its organisational capabilities.
Jürgen Rittersberger, Audi AG’s chief financial officer and chairman of the shareholders’ meeting of Audi Formula Racing, described the appointment as part of the manufacturer’s long-term commitment to Formula 1.
Founded in 2022 specifically for Audi’s Formula 1 project, Audi Formula Racing is responsible for developing and manufacturing the complete drivetrain, including the hybrid drive system and gearbox.
The Neuburg facility has more than 20 engine and component test benches, alongside specialised workshops and laboratories. Its infrastructure has been expanded to support the programme, including a new building covering approximately 3,000 square metres.
The site has also received a three-star environmental certification from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the highest level under the governing body’s environmental certification framework.
Fuhr said he intended to build on the work already completed by the Neuburg team, bringing together expertise across the organisation as Audi seeks to compete at the highest level of Formula 1.
