Audi has unveiled the R26 Concept, offering the first look at the color scheme and design direction of its 2026 Formula 1 car, which will be fully revealed in January.
The show car was presented on November 12, 2025, in Munich, Germany, marking a key milestone in Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as a full works team.
The R26 Concept features a minimalist three-color livery: metallic silver across the body, matte black on the rear and underfloor, and a bold Lava Red used for the nose, airbox, sidepod inlets, and the four-ring logo.
This red draws from Audi’s motorsport heritage, particularly its Le Mans era, while the clean geometric lines reflect a new design language that will unify the brand’s future road and racing vehicles.
Though built on a generic chassis with pre-2026 sidepod designs, the concept hints at the final car’s proportions, including a sleeker nose and 2026-compliant front wing.
Audi’s F1 program began with its 2022 announcement and a gradual takeover of the Sauber team, completed in 2025.
Starting January 1, 2026, the Swiss outfit will race as the Audi factory team, with both chassis and power unit developed in-house at Neuburg, Germany—the only F1 operation based in the country. To support the project, Audi recently sold a minority stake to Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund.
The 2026 regulations play to Audi’s strengths, mandating a 50/50 power split between sustainable e-fuel combustion and electric drive, with triple the electric output of current hybrids. Audi views this as a direct link to its road-car electrification strategy.
The real R26 power unit has already completed a full dyno run, with the first on-track shakedown planned soon, followed by pre-season testing in Barcelona in February 2026.
The team will be led by former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto as project head and ex-Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley as team principal.
The 2026 driver lineup remains Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has set realistic goals: using 2026 and 2027 to build competitiveness, targeting podiums by 2028 and a title challenge by 2030.
Title partners include BP for sustainable fuels, Adidas, and Revolut, with their branding to be integrated into the final livery while preserving the concept’s clean aesthetic.
The reveal generated strong reactions, with F1’s official channels sharing footage and fans praising the understated yet distinctive look. Even Bayern Munich players, linked through Audi’s sponsorship, were given an exclusive preview.
More than a racing car, the R26 Concept is a statement of intent. With the full launch in January and the season starting in Melbourne on March 6-8, 2026, Audi is positioning itself not just to compete, but to redefine its identity through the world’s premier motorsport stage.