Audi has officially confirmed its entry into the Formula 1 World Championship, starting in the 2026 season under the name Audi Revolut F1 Team, with its first Formula 1 car, the “R26”. This is a major move for motorsport, following Audi’s acquisition of the entire Sauber Group at the start of 2025.
It allows Audi to fully integrate its “Vorsprung durch Technik” (progress through technology) philosophy into the R26, ensuring that the machine is a pure reflection of its engineering capabilities in the world’s most prestigious racing series.
The project marks the first time in over a decade that a Formula 1 powertrain has been built in Germany. Audi aims to establish itself as a leading brand in high-performance sports cars. They see the upcoming changes to Formula 1’s rules as a great opportunity to demonstrate their engineering skills on an international stage.
Building a global powerhouse for Formula 1 success
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Audi is building its presence in Formula 1 racing through a network of facilities across three countries. The primary focus of their development is at the Audi Formula Racing GmbH facility in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany. This site is dedicated to creating the engines for their race cars and has recently been expanded with a new building that includes testing areas specifically for the Formula 1 project.
While the engines are developed in Germany, the design of the actual race cars is happening in Hinwil, Switzerland. This location was home to the Sauber Formula 1 team for many years.
Additionally, Audi has set up the Audi Motorsport Technology Centre in Bicester, United Kingdom. Located in the renowned “Motorsport Valley,” this center gives Audi access to the skilled workforce and partnerships necessary to compete at the highest levels of motorsport.
Leadership and drivers
A dedicated group of leaders oversees this exciting new venture. Mattia Binotto is the Head of the Audi Formula 1 Project, responsible for development at Audi’s facilities in Germany, Switzerland, and the UK. Alongside him is Jonathan Wheatley, the Team Principal, who will handle race operations and represent Audi in Formula 1 strategic forums.
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For their first racing season, Audi has chosen two drivers: Nico Hülkenberg, who has joined the team with a multi-year contract. Having competed in over 250 Grand Prix races, he brings valuable experience and insights to the project.
The other driver is Gabriel Bortoleto, a promising young talent who made headlines by winning both the FIA Formula 3 and FIA Formula 2 Championships in his very first season in each competition. This remarkable achievement has been achieved by only three other drivers in the past.
Shaping the future of racing
In 2026, there is an exciting shift in racing as teams adopt new rules to make the sport more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Greater electrification and more sustainable fuels are part of the new technical regulations. The electric motors are nearly as powerful as the combustion engines, which have about 400 kW (544 hp). The increased output from the electric motors means that more energy can be recovered through recuperation. The combustion engines are highly efficient 1.6-liter turbocharged engines that run on sustainable fuels.
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Visually, the Audi Revolut F1 Team follows a design philosophy described as “clear, technical, and emotional”. The race car has been developed in the Hinwil facility in close collaboration with the power unit team in Neuburg, ensuring that both the chassis and the engine function well together. The project also adheres to financial regulations; the cost cap has been a factor for power unit manufacturers since 2023, meaning the team has structured its development to work within these established budget limits.
From historic wins to American racetracks
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Audi brings a formidable history of motorsport success to this new challenge. The brand cemented its name in motorsport in the 1980s with the Audi quattro, a car that changed the world of rally racing. This all-wheel-drive system was a game-changer, helping Audi win several World Rally Championships between 1982 and 1984. This success on rough roads helped Audi establish its reputation as a leader in high-performance vehicles.
After their rally success, Audi shifted its focus to endurance racing, particularly the famous Le Mans 24 Hours race. In 2006, they made headlines by becoming the first team to win this prestigious event with a diesel engine using the Audi R10 TDI. They continued to push boundaries in 2012 by winning with the first hybrid racing car, the Audi R18 e-tron quattro. Overall, Audi has an impressive record with 13 wins in just 16 racing participations.
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They have also explored newer technologies successfully in Formula E and won the 2024 Dakar Rally with the low-emission Audi RS Q e-tron prototype.
The road to the 2026 championship
Audi’s return to Formula 1 is a huge moment for the racing world, as it marks the well-known car maker coming back as a complete team. With a focus on quality engineering and a skilled driver team, Audi is setting itself up to compete right from the start. The challenge ahead is immense, but the brand’s history suggests it is arriving in 2026 with the intention of winning, as Mattia Binotto puts it, at the launch of Audi’s Formula 1 R26: “We are here to compete, and we are here to win a day.”
The 2026 Formula 1 season officially begins in Melbourne, Australia, on March 6. Americans will be able to catch races in Miami from May 1 to 3, in Austin from October 23 to 25, and in Las Vegas from November 19 to 21. The championship concludes in Abu Dhabi on December 6.