115 days earlier than its debut, Audi has offered a sneak preview of its F1 idea because it targets 2030 because the yr wherein will probably be battling for the title.
„By coming into the head of motorsport, Audi is making a transparent, formidable assertion,“ says Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. „It’s the subsequent chapter within the firm’s renewal. Formulation 1 shall be a catalyst for the change in the direction of a leaner, sooner and extra modern Audi.“
Based on Döllner, Audi is coming into the sequence with an formidable but reasonable roadmap: „We’re not coming into Formulation 1 simply to be there. We need to win. On the similar time, we all know that you do not grow to be a prime crew in Formulation 1 in a single day. It takes time, perseverance and tireless questioning of the established order. By 2030, we need to struggle for the World Championship title.“
The R26 idea is a transparent assertion and gives a preview of the color scheme and design of the model’s first Formulation 1 race automobile, which shall be unveiled in January. This visible identification relies on the not too long ago launched design philosophy and its 4 design rules: clear, technical, clever and emotional.
„We’re implementing a unifying design language that pulls collectively each side of our group,“ says Audi Chief Artistic Officer Massimo Frascella. „This makes the Formulation 1 challenge a pioneer for the brand new model identification, which shall be rolled out sooner or later each for the F1 crew and Audi as a complete.“
The R26 Idea is among the first expressions of the model’s new visible identification. Minimalist graphic surfaces, outlined by exact geometric cuts, combine seamlessly with the racing automobile’s geometry. The color palette options titanium, carbon black and the newly launched Audi purple. As a part of this identification, Audi may also sport purple rings, used selectively to underscore its Formulation 1 presence.
The F1 challenge is a strategic flagship for Audi, reflecting the technological, cultural and entrepreneurial reinvention of the model. It’s supposed to encourage clients and staff alike. Improvement and racing happen inside an economically enticing framework: a value cap relevant to all groups ensures a clearly outlined price range and situations, whereas the worldwide attain of Formulation 1 provides sturdy model publicity and sponsorship alternatives.
Formulation 1 has been a globally established sports activities platform for many years and, with greater than 820 million followers, is the world’s hottest sports activities sequence. In 2024, round 1.6 billion TV viewers watched the races. The monetary valuations of Formulation 1 groups are within the billions. The long run Audi F1 crew already has three international firms as companions – adidas, bp and future title companion Revolut – and there’s nice curiosity in supporting Audi in Formulation 1.
To enter Formulation 1, Audi acquired the Sauber Group in its entirety originally of this yr, thereby creating the situations to deliver Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund on board as an investor. On the helm of the Audi F1 Undertaking are two skilled Formulation 1 managers, former Ferrari Workforce Principal Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley (previously Pink Bull), who report on to Döllner. When it comes to drivers, the corporate is counting on a mix of expertise and youthful power with seasoned racing driver Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
„Formulation 1 is extra than simply motorsport,“ says Jurgen Rittersberger, CFO of AUDI AG. „It is leisure, emotion, expertise – and in addition a problem. However it’s exactly this mix that takes us the place we need to go: inspiring new buyer teams for Audi. With the large attain of Formulation 1, we’ve the chance to draw new clients for our model – particularly within the youthful goal group, the place Formulation 1 is experiencing speedy development. Because of the fee cap, Formulation 1 can be extra financially sustainable than ever earlier than. After we have a look at the event of sponsorship alternatives, crew evaluations, and the general income potential in Formulation 1, one factor turns into clear: This path makes good sense for Audi – additionally economically.“
Motorsport is a part of the Audi DNA and has at all times been a driving pressure for technological progress and innovation. From the primary mid-engine Grand Prix automobile to quattro all-wheel drive in rallying, to diesel, hybrid and electrical powertrains at Le Mans, in Formulation E and on the Dakar Rally, Audi has led each motorsport challenge to success with dedication, braveness, perseverance and crew spirit, at all times pioneering new floor. The Formulation 1 involvement of Audi is meant to construct on this.
Far-reaching adjustments to the technical laws of Formulation 1 from 2026 onwards current a super alternative for Audi, as a newcomer, to enter the head of motorsport. All opponents must familiarize themselves with new laws and applied sciences on the similar time, each by way of the chassis and the drivetrain.
Since spring 2022, Audi has been growing the facility unit in Neuburg an der Donau – the one operational location of an F1 crew in Germany. It consists of a V6 inside combustion engine (ICE) with a displacement of 1.6 litres and turbocharging, an power restoration system (ERS) together with power storage (ES) and an electrical motor generator unit (MGU-Ok), in addition to an digital management unit (CU-Ok). Along with the facility unit, the gearbox can be being developed in Neuburg. Along with the facility unit, they type what is called the powertrain. The brand new technical laws for F1 powertrains deal with better road-car relevance with a brand new hybrid idea. The output of the electrical motor has been tripled and can in future be on a comparable stage with the combustion engine, which shall be powered by sustainable fuels from 2026. Audi has been working completely with the British firm bp on this since 2022.
Idea growth for the F1 powertrain ‚made in Germany‘ started in 2022. Simply two years later, the whole powertrain ran dynamically as a unit for the primary time in a race simulation on the check bench. Digital simulations and digital growth instruments are significantly essential right here, as laws imply that it’s going to not be potential to check the brand new powertrains on a racetrack till early 2026. As with product growth at Audi, dynamic driving simulators, digital instruments and strategies play a big position within the growth course of. The primary energy models to be used on the racetrack have now been accomplished and shall be shipped from Neuburg an der Donau to their respective areas beginning in December.
The crew develops and builds the race automobiles on the manufacturing facility in Hinwil. The Swiss location can be chargeable for planning and executing race operations. As well as, a expertise workplace has been in operation in Bicester within the UK since summer season 2025. The presence within the so-called ‚Motorsport Valley‘ provides the crew entry to further F1 experience. There’s intensive technical cooperation between the areas to completely exploit the benefits and alternatives of a manufacturing facility crew via the seamless integration of energy unit and chassis.
The crew will make its full public debut on the official crew launch in January 2026. Shortly thereafter, the primary official check drives with the new-generation Formulation 1 automobiles will happen on the finish of January at Barcelona, Spain – nonetheless behind closed doorways. Throughout additional exams in Bahrain (11-13 February and 18-20 February), the crew will check in Formulation 1 in entrance of the general public for the primary time, earlier than the model’s eagerly awaited debut within the pinnacle of motorsport takes place in Melbourne (Australia) from 6-8 March.
