Victory and Podium: Audi’s Rising Stars Make Early Statement

[Source: Audi Revolut F1 Team]

Audi’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent is already paying dividends in 2026. Drivers from the Audi Driver Development Programme, Emma Felbermayr and Freddie Slater, kicked off their respective seasons with standout performances, signaling a promising year ahead.

Seventeen-year-old Freddie Slater made an impressive debut in the highly competitive FIA Formula 3 Championship during the season opener in Melbourne. Slater showcased immediate pace by qualifying third, just 0.082 seconds shy of pole position. Although the inverted grid for the Sprint Race placed him tenth and a red flag curtailed his progress, he demonstrated resilience to finish where he started. The Feature Race, however, truly highlighted his potential. Slater surged into second place at the start and remained a constant threat at the front. Despite two safety car interruptions, he executed a decisive overtake to reclaim second, ultimately securing his maiden Formula 3 podium, a remarkable achievement in his first weekend at this level.

Meanwhile, Emma Felbermayr delivered an equally compelling performance in the F1 Academy season opener in Shanghai. Entering her second year in the series, Felbermayr qualified third and demonstrated both pace and determination in the Sprint Race. After sustaining minor damage in contact with Ferrari-backed driver Alba Larsen, she fought back to snatch a podium finish with a bold last-lap pass. Her momentum carried into the Feature Race, where she stayed within striking distance of the leaders before seizing the advantage at a safety car restart. From there, she controlled the race to claim a commanding victory and left Shanghai leading the championship standings.

Allan McNish, Director of the Audi Driver Development Programme, praised both drivers for their strong starts, emphasizing their dedication, speed, and professionalism. With a break in the racing calendar ahead, Slater and Felbermayr will now focus on training and preparation, aiming to build on this early success.

For Audi, these results underscore the strength of its driver development pipeline and hint at an exciting future for the brand in global motorsport.