Audi has explained how its driver development programme works during its first Formula 1 season. Allan McNish leads the project alongside his duties as Audi Racing Director.
The current group includes Formula 3 driver Freddie Slater and F1 Academy racer Emma Felbermayr. Both receive support designed around their own championship and level of experience.
The programme took shape before Audi entered Formula 1
Audi began planning the programme in 2023, before its works team reached the grid. The structure was developed through 2024 and 2025, then launched in January 2026. McNish was asked to lead the project because he understands several sides of motorsport. He raced in Formula 1, won Le Mans three times and later held management roles. His Audi relationship also extends across several racing programmes. That history gives him direct knowledge of the company’s engineers, expectations and working methods. The programme is therefore connected with Audi’s wider competition department. It is not a separate branding exercise built around occasional appearances by young drivers.
Slater became the first driver selected for the new programme. He joined Formula 3 with Trident after winning major titles in karting, Formula 4 and Formula Regional. Felbermayr represents Audi during her second F1 Academy season with Rodin Motorsport. She also gained single-seater experience in Spanish Formula 4 before the current campaign. Each series has a separate schedule and support plan. Formula 3 includes larger grids and short race weekends, while F1 Academy places different demands on training and preparation. Audi does not use one fixed plan for every member. Staff review each driver’s results, feedback and workload before deciding where extra help is needed.
Engineering work is part of the training
Engineers ask young drivers to describe car behaviour during short practice sessions. Audi helps them describe balance, tyre condition and braking changes with precise language. Giampaolo Dall’Ara moved into the driver development group after a long engineering career. His role links track feedback with the technical education offered away from race weekends.
The drivers learn how engineers compare data from separate laps. They also study how one change can improve one corner while creating a problem elsewhere. That work does not replace the engineers at their current teams. It gives each driver better tools for the conversations already required in Formula 3 or F1 Academy.
The junior racers also practise interviews and public appearances
Audi also supports fitness, recovery and nutrition. Each junior schedule combines travel, school commitments, simulator work and physical training. Communication training covers interviews and sponsor duties. The purpose is to help drivers answer clearly while keeping their own voice during busy race weekends.
Carrie Schreiner works with Felbermayr as a mentor. Her experience in F1 Academy and sports car racing provides useful guidance about preparation and professional routines. McNish believes these areas cannot be separated from lap time. A driver may lose performance when poor recovery or unclear feedback interrupts otherwise strong speed.
Audi is developing junior racers for several categories
The clearest ambition is to prepare a driver for Formula 1. McNish also wants the programme to prepare drivers for careers outside Audi’s Formula 1 seats. Audi competes across a wider motorsport history than Formula 1 alone. A capable graduate could build a professional career in another category while remaining connected with the company.
This approach avoids promising a race seat before a driver has earned one. Slater and Felbermayr still need results in their current championships before any promotion decision. The programme measures progress through driving, technical work and professional conduct. Each area gives Audi more evidence than a single fast qualifying lap.
Audi will use the first season when selecting more junior racers
Two drivers allow the staff to establish working routines without creating an oversized group. McNish can follow their weekends closely and adjust support during the season. Audi may add more prospects after reviewing the first year. Future selections can include karting or junior formula drivers who match the programme’s technical and personal standards.
Speed remains essential, but the team also values resilience, intelligence and cooperation. Those qualities become visible when a weekend goes badly or conditions change quickly. The first programme year is now producing practical information for Audi. Slater and Felbermayr are racing, while the staff can test every part of the support structure.
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