Audi appoints Thomas Fuhr as CEO to sharpen its F1 power unit push

Audi has appointed Thomas Fuhr as CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, the Neuburg-based division responsible for developing the manufacturer’s Formula 1 power unit. The announcement represents the latest restructuring of Audi’s F1 project and restores a CEO role that was eliminated at the start of 2025 when Adam Baker departed.

Fuhr joins as an addition to the existing leadership rather than a replacement, with the explicit aim of allowing chief technical director Stefan Dreyer to “focus fully on leading the technical development of Audi’s Formula 1 power unit.” COO Christian Foyer will continue to manage Neuburg’s day-to-day operations.

Fuhr brings more than 30 years of relevant industry experience to the role. He served as managing director of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains between 2009 and 2012, and has since held senior positions at GROHE, LIXIL, and most recently Georg Fischer Building Flow Solutions, where he was Chief Technology Officer. That blend of technical grounding and organisational leadership made him a priority target for Audi as it seeks to accelerate progress on a power unit that made its competitive debut this season.

Audi F1 CEO and team boss Mattia Binotto welcomed the appointment. “We have built strong foundations in Neuburg, developing Audi’s first Formula 1 power unit from the ground up,” Binotto said. “As Thomas understands both the technical challenge and what it takes to build and lead high-performing teams, I am confident he will play a key role by further developing the team and its organisation to make us the best F1 manufacturer.”

Fuhr himself said the scale of the challenge was a key draw. “The team in Neuburg has developed an entirely new power unit and brought it to the track,” he said. “I want to build on that work by bringing together expertise across the organisation and creating the conditions for us to compete at the highest level.”

The restructuring underlines Audi’s determination to close the gap to established F1 engine suppliers as the sport’s new power unit regulations bed in.