This is what Audi’s F1 car would look like! Debut & more details explained

Audi has showcased what its Formula 1 debut car will look like with the reveal of what the brand calls the R26 Concept. This concept model previews what the overall look, colour scheme and identity of its debut F1 car will look like.

The brand showcased the concept at its Brand Experience Center in Munich, exactly 115 days before its first F1 race.

Audi Formula 1’s R26 Concept: Key details

Audi says that the R26 Concept represents Audi’s new brand identity, which will influence both its race car and future road models. The car features a clean surfacing, sharp geometry, and minimalist design language. As for the colour palette, it sports titanium, carbon black, and red shades. Interestingly, the brand’s iconic four rings will appear in red for its F1 programme.

Audi CEO Gernot Dollner said that the team aims to be in the fight for the World Championship by 2030. Audi sees Formula 1 as much more than motorsport. The platform’s global audience of over 820 million fans and 1.6 billion TV viewers in 2024 gives it enormous reach.

Audi Formula 1: Team, debut and more details

The team’s leadership includes former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley, while the driver lineup features Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.

Development of Audi’s Formula 1 power unit has been underway since 2022 in Germany. The setup includes a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 paired with a hybrid system. Audi’s F1 engine, developed in collaboration with bp, runs on sustainable fuels and features a tripled electric motor output.The official team launch is set for January 2026, followed by initial tests in Barcelona later that month. The team will then head to Bahrain (February 11–13 and 18–20) for its first public outing before making its race debut at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (March 6–8, 2026).