With just 115 days remaining before its first Formula 1 race, Audi has unveiled an exclusive preview of its upcoming F1 programme at its Brand Experience Centre in Munich. The event offered a first glimpse of the marque’s entry into the pinnacle of motorsport, marking a new chapter in Audi’s technological and brand evolution.
At the event, Audi unveiled the R26 Concept, previewing the design philosophy and colour scheme of its first Formula 1 car, due to be fully revealed in January 2026.
The new visual identity embodies Audi’s design principles of being clear, technical, intelligent and emotional. Featuring titanium, carbon black and the newly introduced Audi red, the minimalist livery signals the brand’s transition into a unified design era.
For the first time, red Audi rings will appear exclusively on the team’s Formula 1 entry, highlighting the company’s bold new direction.
Sauber Acquisition and Team Leadership
Earlier this year, Audi completed its full acquisition of the Sauber Group, ensuring complete control of its Formula 1 operation. The move also welcomed Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund as an investor, further strengthening the team’s foundations.
The future Audi F1 Team will be led by two highly experienced figures: former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto and Red Bull’s former Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley, both reporting directly to Audi CEO Gernot Döllner.
The driver line-up pairs German racer Nico Hülkenberg with Brazilian rising star Gabriel Bortoleto, symbolising the blend of experience and youth that Audi hopes will define its Formula 1 era.
Engineering Operations
Since 2022, Audi’s dedicated facility in Neuburg an der Donau has been developing the brand’s power unit for Formula 1, making it the only F1 engine base located in Germany.
The unit combines a 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged internal-combustion engine (ICE) with an advanced energy recovery system (ERS) including energy storage (ES) and an electric motor generator unit (MGU-K), as well as an electronic control unit (CU-K), designed to run on sustainable e-fuels developed exclusively in partnership with bp.
With F1’s 2026 regulation changes focusing on hybrid efficiency and sustainability, Audi sees this as a perfectly timed entry.
Global Operations and Strategic Locations
While Neuburg leads powertrain development, the Hinwil factory in Switzerland will plan and execute the race operations. A new technology office in Bicester, UK — located in the heart of Motorsport Valley — ensures access to a deep pool of Formula 1 expertise.
This integrated setup is designed to deliver seamless coordination, maximising the benefits of a full factory team.
Countdown to Audi’s F1 Debut
Audi’s Formula 1 journey will officially begin with the team launch in January 2026, followed by pre-season testing in Barcelona later that month. Public testing will take place in Bahrain in mid-February before the team makes its long-awaited debut at the Australian Grand Prix (6–8 March 2026).
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