Audi Reveals R26, Its First Formula 1 Car, at Berlin Launch

BERLIN, Germany. Audi revealed its first Formula 1 car on Tuesday, presenting the R26 at a launch event at Kraftwerk Berlin, a historic power station in the heart of the German capital, according to Formula 1 (opens in a new tab).

The German manufacturer first announced its plan to enter F1 in August 2022. The Hinwil-based team will race as a full works team under the name Audi Revolut F1 Team, with a car powered by Audi's first F1 power unit. Its Grand Prix debut comes at the season opener in Australia.

The R26 carries a titanium, carbon fibre and lava red livery that the team first teased at an event in Munich last November.

"Not here to make up the numbers"

Audi CEO Gernot Dollner was joined on stage by Mattia Binotto, head of the Audi F1 project, team principal Jonathan Wheatley and drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.

"Today marks more than a launch; it marks the public declaration of a new era for Audi," Dollner said. "We understand that success in Formula 1 demands relentless perseverance and Audi Revolut F1 Team is not here to make up the numbers; we aim to be fighting for the World Championship by 2030."

Binotto said the decision to enter as a full works team was the project's "single greatest asset." The team builds its power unit in Neuburg and develops its chassis in Hinwil and Bicester.

"This seamless integration gives us total control over our destiny, eliminating compromises and enabling a level of agility and innovation that is essential for success," Binotto said.

Wheatley, who joined the Hinwil-based team after nearly two decades at Red Bull, called the car "the physical embodiment of thousands of hours of hard work" and said, "This is just day one of a long campaign."

Same drivers, new name

Hulkenberg and Bortoleto return for a second season as teammates. Last year, Hulkenberg scored his first career podium and Bortoleto took five points finishes as a rookie.

"What I feel here today is a profound seriousness and an incredible energy that sets this team apart," Hulkenberg said. "I am looking forward to get this car on the track in Melbourne."

"To race for the Four Rings, a brand that has such an iconic and victorious history in motorsport is, quite simply, a dream come true," Bortoleto said.

Audi was the first team to run a 2026-spec car, at a filming day in Barcelona earlier in January. The team heads back to Barcelona for Shakedown Week, where all 11 teams can run for three days.

Bortoleto later finished ninth in Melbourne in Audi's first race as a works team. Read our Australian Grand Prix recap.

See how Audi's season unfolded from its first race in Melbourne to Nico Hulkenberg's point in Sao Paulo, and where it stands in our 2026 F1 standings breakdown.

Sources: Formula 1. More Formula 1 coverage on Undrafted.

Photo: Audi Revolut F1 Team