After months of rumors, Audi officially participates in Formula 1 racing in 2026, but that new racing program will come at a cost. The German brand is canceling the LMDh program it planned to run in the IMSA WeatherTech and World Endurance Championship series, Sportscar365 report.
Back in March, the website report that the LMDh program had been suspended for several months as Audi pursued an uncertain future. An Audi spokesperson told Sportscar365 reckons the decision has nothing to do with F1, instead being due to the higher-than-expected costs surrounding Audi’s Dakar import.
Now, with the German manufacturer focused on supplying engines for F1, there will be no room for the likes of the LMDh.
From the website:
“Audi Sport is aggregating its strengths for the Formula 1 project and, therefore, the discontinuation of its LMDh project,” a statement read.
“The motorsport division recently suspended development of sports cars for endurance races.”
Sportscar365 understands that a multi-colored Audi LMDh car has been built and is only a few weeks away from starting road tests before the manufacturer decides to suspend the program earlier this year.
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The manufacturer does still plan to compete in customer racing and will still offer GT2, GT3, GT4 and TCR machines.
The cancellation of this program has been almost guaranteed for a while. Partner team WRT ended its relationship with Audi earlier this year, instead signing with BMW to compete in the World Endurance Championship. Further, prospective driver Rene Rast has signed with BMW to compete in Formula E.
