Latest news with #AudiSport
Man of Many
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Man of Many
11 Best Formula 1 Movies To Watch After Checking Out ‘F1: The Movie'
You've seen Brad Pitt's latest triumph – the surprisingly-good love letter to the race track, F1: The Movie – and you've decided you want more. Or maybe you've watched everything Drive to Survive has to offer, and your thirst has not been sated. I have good news: you've come to the right place, because not only do we have a list of incredible F1 documentaries and biopics for you to dive into, you're going to understand the history of the sport far better at the end of this binge. Here, we've pulled together 11 high-octane films to showcase the best of the best: from the founding of track favourite Ferrari, to deep dives into some of the most famous moments in the sport's history. We've got a need for speed, so lets cut to the chase: here's the 11 Best Formula 1 Movies to Watch. The Best Formula 1 Movies 1. Senna Release Date: October 8, 2010 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 46m IMDb Rating: 8.5 Director: Asif Kapadia Telling the story of one of the greats of the game, Senna follows the life and 10-year career of Brazilian world champion Ayrton Senna. During his decade on the track, Senna won the world championship three times, fostered a heated rivalry with France's Alain Prost, and made waves in the sport due to his outspoken frustrations with the mechanisms of the Formula 1 racing league. Senna tragically died on the track in what has become known as one of the bleakest races in F1 history, after a mechanical failure led his car to hit a concrete barrier while he was leading the 2004 San Marino Grand Prix. It's an awful story, but one that led to significant safety revisions in the sport which has made it far safer for every racer that trailed in his wake. The film is entirely made up of archival footage, with no interviews or talking heads: instead, you're simply seeing the reality of what happened through Senna's career, as well as footage of the man himself talking through his thought process and approach to racing. 2. Truth in 24 Release Date: October 25, 2008 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 35m IMDb Rating: 8.1 Director: Keith Crossrow, Bennett Viseltear Narrated by The Transporter himself Jason Stratham, Truth in 24 chronicles Audi Sport's efforts to take its fifth W at famous endurance race '24 Hours of Le Mans' in 2008 – a race in which victory is assumed by driving the longest distance in a single car during a 24-hour period. The film follows Audi racers Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish and Dindo Capello as they prepare for the race, as well as their time in the drivers seat. Each driver takes charge of the car for over two hours before swapping out to a teammate, meaning the trio behind the wheel need to be in perfect sync to avoid any delay getting the vehicle back on the track. You'd think a film about a hot, sweaty endurance race would be a slog, but it's actually an incredibly interesting and poignant look at the lives of the men on the track, as well as the sheer hell they regularly put their bodies through. 3. Rush Release Date: September 13, 2013 Genre: Docudrama Runtime: 2h 3m IMDb Rating: 8.1 Director: Ron Howard Focusing on star drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl), Rush is a mile-a-minute dramatisation of one of the sports' most heated on-track rivalries. The pair operated throughout the 70's, and were championed as two of the most impressive drivers on the track: if not one another's complete opposite. The deeply focused Lauda, racing for Ferrari, and the brash and confident Hunt, racing for McLaren, dominate the screen, and Rush delivers a very human tale in what can sometimes be a very mechanical sport. Hemsworth and Brühl are incredible in their respective roles, and obviously the racing is stellar. If you're after something closely mirroring the recent F1 film, but a bit more grounded in reality (it's still dramatised, after all), Rush is it. If you want a more accurate historical retelling of the relationship between the pair of drivers, check out number seven on the list. 4. Williams Release Date: August 4, 2017 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 49m IMDb Rating: 7.6 Director: Morgan Matthews Williams Racing has been an integral part of the F1 grid for decades, and Williams charts the beginning of its story. The film follows the rise of Williams' founder and namesake, Frank Williams, as he builds the team around himself before, tragically, a near-fatal crash leaves him wheelchair bound. Rather than collapse, the Williams family rallies around Frank and cements the team as a force to be reckoned with. Using a mix of archival footage—in some cases never before seen—and interviews with key players in the Williams story, Williams shows a candid and honest portrait of the namesake family's guts, tenacity, and sheer willpower. It's inspiring in all the right ways. 5. Weekend of a Champion Release Date: December 18, 2013 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 33m IMDb Rating: 7.5 Director: Frank Simon A re-edited version of the 1972 original (which was never publicly released save for a brief theatrical release in Europe), Weekend of a Champion follows controversial filmmaker Roman Polanski as he spends a weekend with world champion racer Jackie Stewart. Not just any weekend, though: the weekend of the 1971 Monaco Grand Prix. What emerges is a touching, incredibly rare look behind the scenes of one of the biggest races in the world—especially at a time before the sport opened up its doors to the likes of Netflix's Drive to Survive. While the original was already captivating, the 2013 version adds a post-script conversation between Polanski and Stewart filmed in 2011, wherein the pair discuss the original film, as well as the work Stewart went to do in the sport to further the safety of other drivers. 6. 1: Life on the Limit Release Date: January 10, 2014 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 52m IMDb Rating: 7.9 Director: Paul Crowder While most F1-related films feature warnings around the danger of the sport, 1: Life on the Limit goes all in on highlighting the drivers that lost their lives throughout the sport's nascent growth period, and the men that took pains to make F1 a far safer sport. Narrated by Michael Fassbender, 1 charts the path from the 60's through to the present day as rapid changes within the sport lead to faster and faster cars and, as can be expected, a rising number of on-track fatalities. You'd think every driver would want things to be as safe as possible, but there's a surprising amount of pushback from many of the men behind-the-wheel as new safety initiatives are brought in. It all amounts to a fascinating watch—one that hyper focuses on one aspect of the sport that is both incredibly important and largely unseen. 7. Hunt vs. Lauda: F1's Greatest Racing Rivals Release Date: July 14, 2013 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 59m IMDb Rating: 7.8 Director: Matthew Whiteman A TV Movie documenting the on-track rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt, Hunt vs Lauda takes a decidedly more archival approach to the story when compared to the dramatised Rush. Using a mix of on-the-track footage and new interviews, Hunt vs Lauda tracks the events of the 1976 F1 Championship: a season more intense than most, with Lauda suffering a near-fatal crash that saw him out of action for six weeks before returning to the track wearing a respirator in order to race. While the pair had incredibly different approaches—both on the track and off—Hunt and Lauda actually stayed pretty close friends throughout their careers, despite the fact they were often fighting for pole position. Another fantastic behind-the-scenes look at the sport, as well as the characters that make it as exciting as it is. 8. McLaren Release Date: May 25, 2017 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 32m IMDb Rating: 7.3 Director: Roger Donaldson If there ever was an underdog story in F1, it'd be the story of Bruce McLaren: a humble New Zealander who kickstarted the eponymous dynasty. A prodigious racer, McLaren entered the sport a nobody and left it with a team named after him, and while the film showcases the journey of how McLaren gets to that point, it doesn't dive particularly deep into what kind of man he was. It's a missed opportunity, as when McLaren inevitably meets his end on the track, there is little room for reflection. Still, if you're more interested in some fantastic archival footage of F1's heyday (as well as some jarring dramatisations, most likely used to plug holes where the filmmakers couldn't secure footage), McLaren provides. 9. The 24 Hour War Release Date: November 22, 2016 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 39m IMDb Rating: 7.2 Director: Nate Adams, Adam Carolla Another look at the infamous Le Mans race, though this time delving back to the early 1960s, when Ford and Ferrari were locked in a battle for supremacy. Funnily enough, Ford decided to take Ferrari on after the Italian Stallion rejected the American automaker's bid to partner up, making this movie something of. a revenge tale. While it focuses on the infamous 1966 Le Mans race, The 24 Hour War also intersperses its archival footage with interviews with many of the still-living racers, mechanics, and team staff, leading to an incredibly insightful look back at the events surrounding the race as told by the people that were there. Make no mistake, though, the movie is made by gear-heads, for gear-heads. 10. Ferrari: Race to Immortality Release Date: November 3, 2017 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 31m IMDb Rating: 6.9 Director: Daryl Goodrich Following on from The 24 Hour War, you might want to know a bit more about how the great Ferrari got started. 2017's Ferrari: Race to Immortality takes us back to the 1950's, where Enzo Ferrari – namesake of the brand – led the team in red to supremacy. Race to Immortality tends to focus on the drivers, specifically Peter Collins and Mike Hawthorne, detailing what it was like for the men behind-the-wheel during a time the sport was arguably at its most dangerous: if you're one of those people that pine for a time where the sport was more rough-and-ready, you'll get some kicks here. While the film is ostensibly about Ferrari, it also details the wider context of F1 in the 1950s, as well as the kind of man Enzo was – pushing his drivers in ways that would probably see him removed from the sport today. 11. Truth in 24 II: Every Second Counts Release Date: March 26, 2012 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 23m IMDb Rating: 7.4 Director: Rob Gehring Again narrated by Jason Statham, Truth in 24 II takes a look at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and follows Audi's preparation and efforts to take the victory in 2011. It's rare to get a sequel in the world of racing documentaries, but this isn't exactly a traditional sequel—rather, Part II follows a different team, featuring entirely different drivers, and was made by a different production team. There's definitely something lost in the process of moving on from that original team, even if the drivers on show here—Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, and Benoît Tréluyer—are all fascinating in their own rights. Even so, Part II follows in the footsteps of the original, showcasing the mental and physical torture drivers put themselves through in order to get their team, and car, to cover as much ground as possible within the 24-hour time limit. It's not glamorous, but it is inspiring. Want More F1? We've Got You Covered
NZ Autocar
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Next Audi RS 6 will have electrified powertrains only
Both hybrid and electric performance A6s are being readied for 2026, the former based on a V8 engine. Camera mirrors may be an option for next RS 6. Whatever the choice, all RS 6s will be electrified for the fifth generation of the go-hard large family Audi. And the electric variant will be the first full EV for Audi Sport. A competitor to BMW M5 and i5 M60, the new RS 6 will be the most powerful version yet, as you'd expect with an additional power source on board. It is likely to produce up to 544kW in combustion-engined form. And it will also come in both saloon and wagon versions, something not offered by Audi in 15 years. A couple of years back, Audi Sport was intending to take the RS 6 fully electric. But sluggish EV sales have convinced it to extend the life cycles of key ICE models to the middle of the 2030s. The electric RS 6 e-tron will use Volkswagen Group's new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) underpinnings. But the hybrid example will run on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. In other words, an update of the MLB mechanicals it already uses. Power galore Expect the 4.0 twinturbo V8 petrol engine to be carryover. To meet Euro 7 emissions legislation, it combines with a plug-in hybrid system that has a motor mounted in the gearbox. A similar powertrain is used in Porsche's Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. There, it is good for 575kW and 1000Nm, sufficient for a sub 3.0sec sprint time. Audi will likely be chasing similar spirited performance. The electric RS 6 e-tron will run a dual-motor, four-wheel drive powertrain similar to that in the S6 e-tron, only with greater output. Expect around 500kW and 950Nm. It should almost give the RS e-tron GT a run for its money. Audi is expected to give the RS 6 e-tron similar paddle and sonic treatment to the Ioniq 5 N, for greater driver engagement. The engineers are also working on a 'progressive torque curve'. The EV will use the same 95kWh (usable) battery as the A6 e-tron but it won't have as much range, around 640km. Styling will involve the usual amped up aggressive appearance compared with their more mainstream stablemates. Cue wider wheel arches, a bigger diffuser and spoiler, and a lower, wider stance. Read our review of the S5 Avant here. The PHEV will feature bigger air intakes and central tailpipes. Both models will be 4900mm long. Expect the PHEV to be around 2090kg, and the RS 6 e-tron to weigh in excess of 2500kg. Audi Sport will likely employ a new active suspension system similar to that used on the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. Brakes will likely be carbon ceramic units with 10-pot front calipers.
Auto Car
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
The Audi RS6 will keep its booming V8 – in addition to 670bhp EV
Both hybrid and electric performance A6s are being readied for 2026 Open gallery Close The next Audi RS6 will be completely electrified for its fifth generation in 2026, when it will arrive with both a plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain and a fully electric one – a first for Audi Sport. Set to rival both the electric BMW i5 M60 and the PHEV BMW M5, the new RS6 will be the most powerful version yet, producing as much as 730bhp in combustion-engined form. And for the first time since 2010, the RS6 will offer a choice of estate and saloon bodystyles. The decision to continue offering a combustion-engined RS6 comes two years after Audi Sport confirmed its intention to take the RS6 fully electric. Slower than anticipated EV sales in important markets prompted a revision of that plan, with Audi now instead seeking to extend the life cycles of key ICE models well into the next decade. The dual-powertrain approach is underpinned by a dual-platform strategy. The electric RS6 E-tron sits on the Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Electric (PPE). Meanwhile, the combustion-engined RS6 adopts the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) – an evolution of the MLB architecture used by the current RS6, which was introduced in 2019. Details remain scarce, but the combustion-engined RS6 is understood to continue with an updated version of the Porsche-developed twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine used by its predecessor. But in order to meet stricter Euro 7 emissions legislation, it is expected to be combined with a plug-in hybrid system that incorporates a gearbox-mounted electric motor and a lithium ion battery – a set-up already deployed in various Porsche and Bentley models. Recent sightings of test vehicles appear to confirm this development, with mules spotted wearing smaller, more inboard tailpipes closely resembling those fitted to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. A 'high voltage' sticker has also been seen on these prototypes. Using this set-up also means a bump in power over the existing RS6's 621bhp and 627lb ft. For example, in the most potent Cayenne, the PHEV arrangement delivers a combined 730bhp and 701lb ft of torque. An even more powerful version of this PHEV powertrain is used in the facelifted Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, where it develops 771bhp and 738lb ft. That provides the four-wheel-drive luxury liftback with an official 0–62mph time of 2.9sec and a 202mph top speed – figures that Audi Sport will be aiming to emulate with the new RS6. The move to develop the V8 for the RS6 is reinforced by fellow Volkswagen Group brand Porsche, which announced last year that the next-generation Cayenne and other models will retain combustion engines into the future, with investment aimed at 'improving the efficiency of the V8 developed by Porsche and built at the Zuffenhausen engine plant'. The electric RS6 E-tron, meanwhile, is confirmed to run a sophisticated dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrain that builds on the one already in the S6 E-tron. In that model (launched alongside the standard A6 E-tron earlier this year), the system develops 543bhp and 631lb ft. Insiders at Audi Sport have suggested to Autocar that power will be ramped up to somewhere closer to 670bhp and 701lb ft. One source said: 'It's unlikely to reach as far as the RS E-tron GT [Audi Sport's most powerful model, at 912bhp], but there will be a solid increase over and above the S6 E-tron as part of the differentiation measures.' Like some other performance EVs, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Audi will also give the RS6 E-tron a trick gearbox and pump sound into the cabin to increase driver engagement. Audi Sport engineers are also claimed to be developing a progressive torque curve. The EV will use the same 94.8kWh (usable) battery as the A6 E-tron but, given its performance positioning, it isn't expected to achieve the same range as the standard saloon (463 miles) or Avant estate (437 miles). Both the electric and combustion-engined RS6s will be visually more aggressive than their standard stablemates, with a more angular design, wider arches and, at the rear, a deep diffuser and larger roof-mounted spoiler. For the PHEV, notably larger air intakes and centrally positioned oval tailpipes will be added. Meanwhile, the EV will grow to 4900mm in length, to match its PHEV V8 sibling. Despite the adoption of lightweight materials such as aluminium and composites, the extra hybrid hardware will add mass, tipping the new PHEV RS6 beyond the 2090kg of its predecessor. The electric RS6 E-tron, meanwhile, is set to exceed the 2500kg mark. To preserve handling agility and improve comfort, Audi Sport is expected to introduce a new active suspension system similar to that of the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. Sightings of prototypes also suggest braking will be handled by large carbon-ceramic discs and 10-piston front calipers. As with previous iterations, the new RS6 is expected to maintain a significant premium above the rest of the A6 range. For the EV, it will rise beyond its £99,300 S6 sibling, while prices for the petrol-powered car are expected to extend in the direction today's £176,975 RS6 Avant GT. Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you'll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here. Next Prev In partnership with
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Audi Sport to Sell Historic LMP and DTM Cars to Private Collectors in Drivable Condition
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector Audi Sport has announced it will begin selling some of its most iconic factory-built race cars—once reserved solely for factory use—to private collectors, marking a historic shift in the brand's motorsport legacy. Revealed on Wednesday, the new initiative, titled Audi Sport racing legends, will offer select Le Mans Prototype (LMP) and Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) vehicles in fully drivable condition. The program will also provide technical support and exclusive access to Audi's motorsport expertise. 'For the first time, these cars are being rebuilt with reconditioned period parts to factory standards, with direct involvement from the original developers,' said Rolf Michl, managing director of Audi Sport GmbH. 'These aren't just static showpieces—customers are getting high-performance machines that deliver the full experience of factory racing.' The first two vehicles made available include: Chassis 207 of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, the same car that triumphed at the 2012 Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps with drivers Romain Dumas, Loic Duval, and Marc Gené. It marked a pivotal win in the FIA World Endurance Championship during Audi's hybrid-diesel era. Chassis 107 of the Audi RS 5 DTM, driven to victory by Timo Scheider in 2015 during Audi's dominant run in touring car racing. Audi Sport plans to debut the program at major motorsport events throughout 2025, including the Jim Clark Revival at Hockenheim, the Le Mans Classic, and the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This move comes amid Audi's broader motorsports transformation, which recently included ending its factory GT3 program and delivering its final R8 LMS GT3 customer car. The racing legends initiative opens a new chapter—one that invites private collectors into the automaker's rich competition history with unmatched authenticity and driving access. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Next-Gen Audi RS5 Teased at Dealer Event, Global Debut Expected by June
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector The next-generation Audi RS5 is on the horizon, with industry insiders and dealer sources suggesting an official unveiling before the end of June. The redesigned high-performance model was reportedly shown to authorized dealers during a private event, hinting that a public debut may be just weeks away. Set to arrive as a 2026 model, the new RS5 will break new ground for the nameplate by incorporating a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The familiar 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine will now be paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output exceeding 600 horsepower. Sources indicate the gasoline engine alone will produce 434 hp, while the hybrid system contributes an additional 174 hp. In pure electric mode, the RS5 will reportedly offer up to 50 miles of range on the WLTP cycle—an impressive figure for a performance-focused PHEV. Acceleration is expected to be equally remarkable, with the 0-to-62 mph sprint claimed to be achievable in just 3.4 seconds. Spy images and videos shared by Instagram user @ reveal a significantly more aggressive exterior design. Up front, the RS5 sports a wide Singleframe grille flanked by angular, swept-back LED headlights. At the rear, slim LED taillights and a signature quad-exhaust layout complete the muscular profile. The new RS5 will be available in both sedan and Avant wagon forms, with the latter continuing to cater to Europe's performance estate market. With electrification sweeping through the ranks of Audi Sport, the RS5's hybrid evolution signals a new era for the brand's high-performance lineup—one that blends speed with sustainability. More official details are expected as the summer launch window approaches. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
