Audi unveils its Formula 1 car, the R26, and details the outlines of the project

November 12th will be a landmark in Audi's history. Formula 1This is the first concrete milestone of the German firm's project, which unveils a first part of what its team will be like in 2026. The Audi R26, the concept presented, is adorned with grey at the front and red and black at the rear, based on the four pillars of the brand with the rings: clarity, technology, intelligence and emotion.

“We are implementing a unified design language that brings together all aspects of our organization,” explains Massimo Frascella, head of design at Audi. "This F1 project is a pioneer of the new brand identity, which will be rolled out in the future for the F1 team and for Audi as a whole." The very geometric aspect of the R26, traversed by sharp lines, does not detract from the inevitable presence of the rings, visible in particular on the chimney and on the rear wing.

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Aiming for championships by 2030

Beyond the visual aspect of his new carAudi explained its choice to enter Formula 1 for the competition, certainly, but also for the financial contribution and the expected positive impact on the brand.

"Formula 1 is more than just motorsport," announces Jürgen Rittersberger, Chief Financial Officer of Audi AG. “It’s entertainment, emotion, technology – and also a challenge. But it’s precisely this combination that takes us where we want to go: inspiring new customers for Audi. Thanks to F1’s reach, we have the opportunity to attract new customers, especially among young people, where F1 is experiencing strong growth. Thanks to the budget cap, F1 is also more financially sustainable than ever. When you look at the development of sponsorship opportunities, the valuation of the teams, and the overall revenue potential, one thing is clear: this choice makes perfect sense for Audi – also from an economic point of view.”

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But economic logic isn't the only thing guiding Gernot Döllner, Audi's CEO. The German businessman fully intends to lead his new project to victory, as Audi has done in most of the categories it has entered, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Dakar Rally first and foremost. “We don’t enter Formula 1 just to be present, Döllner warns. We want to win. At the same time, we know that you don't become a top team overnight. It takes time, perseverance, and constantly questioning the status quo. By 2030, we want to be fighting for the world championship title.

The 2026 engine ready to be fitted to the R26

To ensure its success, Audi pulled out all the stops and anticipated its entry by acquiring Sauber and welcoming Qatar's sovereign wealth fund as an investor. The brand laid the foundations of its team with the appointments of Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley to head the project, while Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg will be behind the wheel.

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On the technical side, Audi is developing its own engine, the design of which began in 2022 at the Neuburg an der Donau plant in Germany. At the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer's historic site, the power unit was first tested in 2025 during a race simulation on a test bench, before continuing its development until completion. The first engines will be shipped from the Neuburg plant in December. They will then travel to Switzerland and Sauber's historic home base. Hinwil, where the future single-seaters will be assembled.

To get closer to its rivals, the brand with the rings has also opened a technology office in the “Motorsport Valley”, In Great Britain, the region surrounding the Silverstone circuit is home to almost all the teams on the grid. This meticulously organized operation will now have to prove itself on the track, starting with the Barcelona tests scheduled for the end of January.