Audi officially unveils the R26, the first ever Audi F1 racecar

Audi has officially unveiled the Audi Revolut F1 Team, featuring the R26, their challenger for the 2026 Formula One season.

The unveiling in Berlin, Germany, is the first appearance of the R26 racecar and the Audi F1 team. Though the first official track action begins on January 26 in a closed test, the Audi team completed their first shakedown test on January 9 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. 

In addition to showcasing the car’s livery and partners for the first time, Team Principal, Jonathan Wheatley, and Mattia Binotto, Head of Audi F1 Project, also presented the new team kit and driver overalls that Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto will wear during the 2026 season.

Audi F1 drivers, Nico Hülkenberg (left) and Gabriel Bortoleto (right).

Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi AG and Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi Motorsport AG, said at the event, “Today, a lot of pieces of the puzzle are coming together. For the first time, the full power of the project is on display. We are ready and excited to inspire people around the world by taking part in Formula One.”

The 2026 Formula One season is set to be riveting with an entirely new set of regulations poised to shake up the running order. Following the closed test from January 26 to January 30 in Barcelona, the two official pre-season tests will take place in Bahrain from February 11 to February 20. 

Although Audi has never competed in Formula One under their own brand name, they did participate in Grand Prix racing between 1935 and 1939 under the Auto Union name, before the creation of the Formula One World Championship.

The Audi Revolut F1 Team will make its Formula One debut at the opening race of the year, the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, held from March 6 to March 8.

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