Thomas Fuhr to become CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH

New organizational structure

Audi will appoint Thomas Fuhr as CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH on November 1, 2026. He takes over the role vacated by Adam Baker in May 2025. This division, which was established in 2022, develops and manufactures the complete drivetrain for the Audi Formula 1 entry, including the hybrid drive system and the gearbox. The appointment is intended to strengthen the organization and its operational leadership while allowing the technical department to concentrate fully on powertrain development. In this setup, Fuhr leads the wider organization while chief technology officer Stefan Dreyer focuses on the technical development of the Audi Formula 1 power unit. Christian Foyer will continue to oversee day-to-day operations at the Neuburg facility as chief operating officer. Jurgen Rittersberger, the chief financial officer of Audi AG and chairman of the shareholders’ meeting of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, said the appointment strengthens the structure Audi established at Audi Formula Racing. He added that the continued development of the organization and leadership is fundamental to the ambitions of the long-term strategic commitment to the project.

Professional experience of Thomas Fuhr

Fuhr brings more than 30 years of international engineering and executive experience to the position. He previously served as the managing director of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains from 2009 to 2012. His tenure at Mercedes overlapped with Andy Cowell, who served as engineering director under Fuhr before leading the Mercedes hybrid programme to multiple championship victories. Fuhr’s departure from Mercedes resulted in the promotion of Cowell to lead the Mercedes hybrid programme. After leaving the F1 environment, Fuhr held senior executive positions at Grohe, a plumbing fixtures manufacturer, and Lixil, a water and housing products manufacturer. He most recently served as the chief technology officer of Georg Fischer Building Flow Solutions. Audi team principal Mattia Binotto said that the team has built "strong foundations in Neuburg, developing Audi’s first Formula 1 power unit from the ground up." Binotto noted that Fuhr understands "both the technical challenge and what it takes to build and lead high-performing teams," and he expects Fuhr to play a key role in developing the team and its organization to make Audi the best F1 manufacturer. Fuhr will draw on his combination of motorsport experience and broader industrial leadership to help establish the conditions required to compete at the highest level.

Team standing and Neuburg infrastructure

Audi is in its first year of Formula 1 after taking over the Sauber team. The team currently sits in eighth position in the constructors’ standings with 23 points. Audi follows an initial five-year plan for the Formula 1 project, although the company recently stated it would be open to selling a minority stake in the team. The Neuburg facility, located near Audi headquarters in Ingolstadt, houses the powertrain operation. This site opened in 2014 and serves as the foundation of the Audi powertrain programme. Audi modernized its Audi Sport infrastructure to support the project, including a new building providing approximately 3,000 square metres of floor space for specialized workshops and laboratories. The facility operates more than 20 engine and component test benches and holds the FIA’s three-star environmental certification, which is the highest level under the governing body’s environmental accreditation framework. It is the only operational site of an F1 project in Germany.