Audi F1 Partners With Suspension Experts Öhlins

Audi’s entry into Formula 1 is about much more than building a powerful engine and putting four rings on a race car. Every component matters, and sometimes the difference between winning and losing comes down to how well four tires stay in contact with the pavement. That’s where suspension specialist Öhlins comes in.

The Audi Revolut F1 Team has announced Öhlins as its official damper supplier, bringing one of the most respected names in suspension technology into the German manufacturer’s Formula 1 program. The partnership will see the companies work together on the sophisticated damping systems needed to extract maximum performance from an F1 car.

For anyone familiar with high-performance cars or motorsports, Öhlins needs little introduction. The Swedish company has built its reputation developing advanced suspension systems for everything from motorcycles to some of the world’s most demanding racing machines. Now, that expertise will play a role in Audi’s pursuit of Formula 1 success.

More Than Just a Smooth Ride

Suspension development in Formula 1 is about considerably more than keeping the driver comfortable. Dampers control how the car responds to bumps, braking, acceleration, and cornering forces. They also influence tire contact with the track and the stability of the aerodynamic platform.

Get the setup right, and drivers can attack corners with greater confidence while extracting more performance from the tires. Get it wrong, and even an incredibly powerful race car can struggle to translate that power into competitive lap times.

According to Audi’s announcement, the partnership builds on an existing technical relationship between the two organizations. Rather than starting from scratch, Audi and Öhlins will continue developing solutions tailored to the demanding requirements of Formula 1.

It’s another example of Audi surrounding its F1 operation with established technical specialists as it works to become a competitive force in the sport.

Of course, no suspension supplier can guarantee a podium finish. Formula 1 success requires the engine, chassis, aerodynamics, tires, and driver to work together as one finely tuned package.

But having Öhlins helping manage what happens between the car and the track certainly isn’t a bad place to start. After all, horsepower means very little if you can’t put it to the ground.