TGR StaffAudi officially unveiled its factory Formula 1 program Tuesday night in Berlin, marking the first public appearance of the Audi Revolut F1 Team ahead of its debut season in 2026. The presentation took place at Kraftwerk Mitte, a former power station in the German capital, where nearly 400 invited guests witnessed the reveal of the team’s race livery, driver lineup, uniforms, and visual identity.
The launch represents a major milestone in Audi’s long-planned entry into Formula 1. The manufacturer will make its first Grand Prix start at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this March, becoming the first new German factory team to enter the series in decades.
Audi Revolut F1
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner described the unveiling as the moment when years of preparation became visible to the public. Development of the project has been spread across Audi’s motorsport facilities in Germany and Switzerland. The AFR 26 Hybrid power unit has been engineered in Neuburg an der Donau, while the chassis program is based in Hinwil. The first engine fire-up occurred in late December, followed by an initial rollout test in Barcelona earlier this month.
The Audi R26 will compete under Formula 1’s new technical regulations introduced for the 2026 season. The rules include active aerodynamic systems, adjustable front and rear wings, and a new push-to-pass boost mode replacing the current DRS system. The hybrid power unit features an electric motor producing up to 350 kW, nearly matching the output of the 1.6-liter V6 turbo engine. The car will also run on sustainable fuel developed in partnership with bp.
Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley and Audi F1 Project Head Mattia Binotto introduced the team’s 2026 driver lineup during the event. Nico Hülkenberg will lead the team as an experienced German Grand Prix winner, joined by Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto, regarded as one of the sport’s emerging talents.
Audi also presented the team’s new visual identity, including race suits, team apparel, and fan merchandise. A dedicated design language, color palette, and typeface have been created exclusively for the Audi Revolut F1 Team to establish a distinct presence both at the track and across digital platforms. Official fan collections will be available beginning February 19.
The Berlin presentation featured a display of historic Audi race cars alongside the new Audi RS e-tron GT Performance, which produces up to 912 horsepower. The juxtaposition highlighted Audi’s longstanding connection between motorsport innovation and road car development.
The team’s next on-track milestone will take place later this month with a private shakedown in Barcelona, followed by official pre-season testing in Bahrain in February. These sessions will provide the first competitive benchmark for Audi’s new Formula 1 program before its debut race.
Audi’s Formula 1 entry forms part of the company’s broader strategic realignment, with the series offering global visibility and a regulatory framework aligned with electrification and sustainable fuels. Motorsport has historically served as a development platform for Audi technologies, from rally and endurance racing to electric competition, and the Formula 1 project is intended to continue that legacy.
Audi will take the grid for the first time when the 2026 Formula 1 season begins in Melbourne.
Photo Courtesy of Audi Revolut F1
We are all excited to see Audi in F1, but F1 needs to go back to V10s or something that sounds good.
Like all Audis and VWs the engine will be fine, everything else will just fall on the track.
Excited to see how this changes F1 alongside Cadillac and Ford coming to the grid.