Audi F1 presents the new R26 car and its visual identity for the debut season in Berlin

The Audi Revolut F1 Team officially entered the Fórmula 1 grid at a launch event held at Berlim this Monday, January 20th. The presentation, broadcast globally on the team’s official website, revealed the complete visual identity and livery of the R26 car, which will mark the German manufacturer’s debut as a factory team in the main category of world motorsport from the 2026 season onwards.

The ceremony was led by central figures of the project, including the CEO of Audi, Gernot Döllner, the team leader, Jonathan Wheatley, and the technical responsible for the F1 program, Mattia Binotto. Eles detailed the brand’s strategy and ambitions, highlighting the long-term commitment to competition and the development of cutting-edge technology.

The focus of the event was the single-seater R26, whose design incorporates the traditional colors of the Audi Sport with a modern aesthetic, reflecting the partnership with fintech Revolut, which takes on the position of title partner. The livery was designed to highlight the brand’s new era on the track, combining heritage and innovation.

Pilots Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg were presented as the protagonists who will take the project to the track. The choice of the duo, which combines the youth and talent of the Brazilian champion with the vast experience of the German driver, was highlighted as a fundamental pillar to accelerate the team’s development and competitiveness from the beginning.

The team’s complex leadership structure

The management of Audi Revolut F1 Team was structured in a dual leadership model to optimize complex operations, divided between Suíça and Alemanha. Jonathan Wheatley, recently arrived from Red Bull Racing, where he was a key player in multiple championships, takes over as team leader. Sua primary responsibility is to manage track operations, race strategy and performance during Grande Prêmio weekends, bringing a culture of operational excellence.

Working alongside Wheatley is Mattia Binotto, who holds the positions of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Technical Officer (CTO). With a long career at Ferrari, Binotto supervises all technical development of the project, ensuring perfect integration between the chassis, developed in Essa structure aims to ensure that both fronts of the project advance in a cohesive and efficient manner, eliminating bottlenecks and accelerating the process of building a competitive car.

Audi’s journey to the Fórmula 1 grid

The entry of the Audi into the Fórmula 1 was officially announced in August 2022, a decision motivated by new engine regulations that will come into force in 2026. The rules, which promote greater sustainability through the use of 100% synthetic fuels and a significant increase in electrical power to 50% of the total, align perfectly with the German automaker’s electrification and innovation strategy.

To facilitate its entry, Audi began a process of progressive acquisition of Sauber Motorsport, a Swiss team with more than 30 years of history in the category. The transition was completed throughout 2025, the year in which the team competed as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, allowing for a gradual transfer of control and knowledge.

The development of the power unit is one of the pillars of the project. Audi chose to build its own engine, a complex technical challenge that is being conducted at the Neuburg facility at Alemanha. Este center of excellence was expanded and modernized to meet the requirements of F1, with hundreds of professionals dedicated exclusively to the development of the hybrid engine.

The confirmation of Revolut as main partner, made official in December 2025, consolidated the name Audi Revolut F1 Team and brought crucial financial support. The partnership with the global fintech not only strengthens the team’s budget, but also expands its visibility and appeal to a younger, more digitally connected audience, aligning the team’s image with a profile of technological innovation.

Pilots who combine experience and youth

Audi has invested in pilot training that balances proven experience and rising talent. Nico Hülkenberg, with more than 200 Grandes Prêmios raced, was the first name confirmed, still in 2024. The German driver is known for his consistency, speed and technical ability to develop the car, characteristics considered essential for a debuting team. Sua’s long stint with several teams on the grid, including Sauber itself in previous phases, gives him valuable experience to guide the team in its early years.

At his side will be the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, one of the biggest promises of his generation. Campeão from Fórmula 2, Bortoleto impressed the team during the transition season in 2025 and secured their promotion to Fórmula 1. The dynamic between veteran Hülkenberg and young Bortoleto is seen as ideal for creating an environment of collaboration and mutual growth within the garage.

Technical preparation and first tests

The development of the R26 car and power unit has reached important milestones in recent months. In January 2026, the team successfully carried out the engine’s first “fire-up”, a symbolic moment that validates the integration of the power unit’s systems. Este step was followed by a limited on-track shakedown, permitted by regulations for an initial systems check before official pre-season testing.

The integration between the chassis produced in Hinwil and the engine from Neuburg follows a strict schedule. The engineering team is working to optimize the aerodynamic and mechanical package, making the most of the new 2026 technical rules. Participation in collective pre-season testing will be essential to collect data, adjust the car and prepare the team for the first race on the calendar.

Details of the new visual identity

The visual identity presented in Berlim reflects a fusion between Audi’s heritage in motorsport and a vision of the future. The R26’s paintwork uses the traditional Audi Sport color palette, with red, gray and white, but applied in a dynamic and aggressive way. The presence of the Revolut brand is prominently integrated into the fairing, symbolizing the strong commercial alliance. The design was conceived to be visually striking both on the track and in broadcasts, reinforcing the image of a modern and technologically advanced team. The choice of Berlim for the release also underlined the project’s German roots.

Cutting-edge infrastructure divided into two countries

The operation of the Audi Revolut F1 Team is based on two main facilities. The traditional Sauber factory in Hinwil, in Mais of 500 employees are based on site.

Meanwhile, at Neuburg, at Alemanha, Audi Sport has built a state-of-the-art facility dedicated exclusively to hybrid power unit development. The German factory is responsible for all engine components, from the internal combustion engine to the energy recovery systems (MGU-K) and batteries. The logistics of coordinating work between the two bases is one of the team’s biggest operational challenges.

Goals for the debut season

The team set realistic expectations for its first season. The main objective is to build a solid foundation, ensure car and power unit reliability and demonstrate consistent progress across the 24 races on the calendar. The initial goal is to compete regularly in the intermediate field, looking for opportunities to score points and learn as much as possible to accelerate development in the following years. The project is seen as a marathon, not a sprint, with the ultimate goal of fighting for victories and championships in the long term.