Key highlights
- Audi reveals the R26 Concept, previewing its 2026 Formula 1 race car design
- Marks the brand’s first full entry into Formula 1 with its own factory team and German-developed hybrid power unit
- Showcases Audi’s new design identity with titanium, carbon black, and signature Audi red accents
Audi has finally pulled the wraps off the R26 Concept, its first Formula 1 design study and a clear preview of the car that will hit the grid in 2026. The reveal took place at the Audi Brand Experience Center in Munich, 115 days before the brand’s debut race in Melbourne. This isn’t just another livery drop; it’s Audi’s bold visual and technical statement that it’s here to win, not just participate.
A New Era for Audi
Under CEO Gernot Dollner, Audi is using Formula 1 as a launchpad for what he calls “the next chapter in the company’s renewal.” The R26 Concept embodies the brand’s new design philosophy which is clear, technical, intelligent, and emotional. The minimalist design language integrates precise geometric cuts and bold contrasts, resulting in a car that looks both futuristic and purposeful.
The color palette combines titanium and carbon black with a new Audi red, representing speed and intensity. Interestingly, the brand will also sport red Audi rings in Formula 1, a bold departure from the chrome or white insignia we’re used to seeing.
Built to compete, not just participate
Audi’s entry into Formula 1 isn’t symbolic; it’s strategic. The automaker now fully owns the Sauber Group, giving it both engineering muscle and operational control. The team is headed by Mattia Binotto, former Ferrari team principal, and Jonathan Wheatley, ex-Red Bull Racing veteran. Their driver lineup is equally intriguing with seasoned German racer Nico Hulkenberg and rising Brazilian talent Gabriel Bortoleto will lead Audi’s charge.
The project’s technical foundation lies in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany, where Audi is developing its hybrid powertrain a 1.6-litre V6 turbo engine paired with a powerful electric motor and energy recovery system. The new setup aligns perfectly with the FIA’s 2026 regulations that emphasize sustainability, e-fuels, and near-50 percent electric power. Audi is developing the engine and gearbox entirely in-house, with bp supplying sustainable fuels.
Design philosophy
The R26 Concept isn’t just a styling exercise. It’s a physical expression of Audi’s broader brand evolution. Massimo Frascella, Audi’s Chief Creative Officer, says the Formula 1 project “pioneers the new brand identity” that will influence all future Audis, from road cars to race cars. Expect sharper surfaces, simplified geometry, and strong use of color as core elements of that visual language.
Audi’s participation also underscores its intent to blend technology, design, and sustainability into a cohesive story. Formula 1, with its global audience of over 820 million fans and 1.6 billion TV viewers in 2024, is the perfect stage. The brand has already secured major partners like adidas, bp, and Revolut signaling strong commercial confidence.
The road to Melbourne
The Audi F1 car will make its full public debut in January 2026, followed by closed-door testing in Barcelona. Public tests will take place in Bahrain in February before the team’s first official race at the Australian Grand Prix in March. Between Neuburg, Hinwil (Switzerland), and Bicester (UK), Audi’s F1 operations will work in sync leveraging German precision, Swiss efficiency, and British racing expertise.
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