Former Mercedes MD, Thomas Fuhr has been appointed CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, the company that develops and manufactures the power unit for Audi's F1 project.

Fuhr's appointment as CEO, which starts on 1 November, strengthens the leadership structure of Audi Formula Racing. Drawing on his engineering and leadership experience to further develop the organization and support its technical ambitions, this will enable Stefan Dreyer, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), to focus fully on leading the technical development of Audi's Formula 1 power unit. Christian Foyer, Chief Operating Officer (COO), will continue to oversee operations at the Neuburg site.

Fuhr brings more than three decades of international engineering and leadership experience. From 2009 to 2012, he served as Managing Director of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains. He subsequently held senior executive positions at GROHE and LIXIL, most recently serving as Chief Technology Officer of Georg Fischer Building Flow Solutions, leading complex international engineering and manufacturing organizations across research and development, production, operational performance and technological innovation.

"Audi's Formula 1 project is a long-term strategic commitment and the continued development of our organization and leadership is fundamental to our ambitions," said Jürgen Rittersberger, CFO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Shareholders' Meeting of Audi Formula Racing GmbH. "This appointment further strengthens the structure we have established at Audi Formula Racing. I am very pleased to welcome Thomas to the team and am confident he will make an important contribution to the continued development of our Formula 1 program."

"We have built strong foundations in Neuburg, developing Audi's first Formula 1 power unit from the ground up," added Mattia Binotto, CEO and Team Principal. "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 organization to make us the best F1 manufacturer. I am very much looking forward to welcoming him to the team."

"I am proud to join Audi's Formula 1 project," said Fuhr. "The chance to help shape Audi's future in the sport is what makes this opportunity so exciting.

"The team in Neuburg has developed an entirely new power unit and brought it to the track. I want to build on that work by bringing together expertise across the organization and creating the conditions for us to compete at the highest level. I look forward to working with Mattia, Christian, Stefan and the entire team."