Audi’s Formula 1 team has pulled back the curtain on its powertrain testing operation in Neuburg, Germany, detailing how its test bench facility integrates the internal combustion engine, energy recovery system, gearbox and chassis components from the team’s Hinwil base for the first time in a single environment.
The insight comes through the team’s “All for One” editorial series, which spotlights individual team members and their contributions. The latest installment features Hakan, a test bench operator who has been part of the Audi F1 project since 2022 and plays a central role in validating the team’s powertrain ahead of on-track deployment.
“On our powertrain test bench, all the components come together for the first time: the internal combustion engine, the energy recovery system, the gearbox, and parts of the chassis from Hinwil,” Hakan said. “Before that, everything is tested individually, but here we see whether the overall system works.”
Hakan described a collaborative working environment where teams of four or five operators work alongside dedicated engineers to run the test bench, replace parts and ensure the powertrain functions as designed. His responsibilities also extend to composite component preparation, overseeing the autoclave process for carbon fiber parts — loading, curing and unloading — and coordinating the flow of materials between production stages.
“In Formula One, precision, teamwork and timing are critical,” Hakan said. “If one step doesn’t go according to plan, the entire process is affected. Without proper preparation and curing, we simply wouldn’t have usable carbon fibre parts.”
The Audi F1 operation in Neuburg has undergone significant transformation since Hakan joined the project. The team built an entirely new testing facility designed to meet Formula 1 specifications. “From building a completely new testing facility based on Formula One requirements with the most advanced technology the market could offer, to developing our first powertrain for the team’s debut in Formula One — what an amazing journey it has been so far,” Hakan said.
A lifelong Formula 1 fan with Turkish roots, Hakan said the sport’s return to Istanbul holds personal significance. He previously worked in technical development at Audi in the engine test field before transferring to the F1 program as soon as the manufacturer’s entry was confirmed. “It was immediately clear to me that I wanted to be part of it,” he said. “I’m so grateful to be part of this team.”
The feature underscores the scale of Audi’s F1 commitment, which spans multiple facilities and disciplines as the manufacturer develops its own powertrain for the sport’s new engine regulations. The Neuburg site handles powertrain development and testing, while the Hinwil facility in Switzerland manages chassis production — a dual-site structure that demands precise coordination between departments.