Audi reveals Formula 1 concept ahead of 2026 debut in top motorsport series

Audi’s Formula 1 program is the latest chapter in the brand’s success story, marked by championship titles in World Rally, 24 Hours of Le Mans, IMSA, Formula E, and Dakar Rally.

Having conquered top-class racing series like the World Rally Championship, IMSA Championship, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula E, and the Dakar Rally, Audi drives toward further building its success in motorsports with the presentation of the Audi R26 Concept — the brand’s entry in the 2026 Formula 1 world championship.

The R26 Concept, unveiled at the Audi Brand Experience Center in Munich, heralds the look and color scheme that will appear on Audi’s Formula 1 car, set to be revealed in January as Audi makes its debut in the pinnacle race series.

“Our entry into Formula 1 is part of something bigger. It’s the next step in the company’s renewal, designed to strengthen our competitiveness on the global stage,” said Audi CEO Gernot Dollner during the R26 Concept’s unveiling.

Audi’s Formula 1 program is led by the sport’s luminaries. Mattia Binotto, as Head of Audi F1 Project, leads the development of the team, race car, and powertrain. Jonathan Wheatley serves as Team Principal and will manage race operations.

Audi unveils its entry in the 2026 Formula 1 world championship — the R26 Concept. Presenting the car are (from left) Audi F1 Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley, Head of Audi F1 Project Mattia Binotto, Audi CEO Gernot Dollner, Audi Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella, and factory drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.

Binotto and Wheatley both report directly to Dollner.

Set to line up for Audi at the first grand prix of the 2026 Formula 1 season are drivers Nico Hulkenberg, who counts over 240 F1 race starts, and Gabriel Bortoleto, a successive world champion in Formula 3 and Formula 2 prior to earning his current F1 seat.

The Audi F1 team is based across three main sites: Neuburg an der Donau in Germany, where the hybrid power unit is being developed; Hinwil, Switzerland, for car construction and race operations; and Bicester in the United Kingdom, which provides access to Formula 1 technical resources.

The R26 Concept showcases Audi’s new minimalist visual identity. Its color scheme features titanium, carbon black and the newly introduced Audi Red — which will also be used for the Four Rings logo in select models. The unified design language will extend across Audi’s products and operations.

Audi’s Formula 1 entry serves as a testing ground for new developments in hybrid systems and sustainable fuels, in line with the sport’s new technical regulations for 2026. The team’s first full race weekend will take place at the Australian Grand Prix in March 2026.