Image: by Audi
By Open Chronicle News Desk | January 21, 2026
BERLIN / HINWIL – The Audi Revolut F1 Team has officially entered the spotlight, hosting a spectacular global launch event at Kraftwerk Berlin on Tuesday evening. The event marked the public transformation of the former Sauber squad into Audi’s full works factory team, complete with a new identity, a title partnership with fintech giant Revolut, and the unveiling of their 2026 livery.
The project is a massive industrial undertaking, with the chassis developed in Hinwil, Switzerland, and the hybrid Power Unit—the first F1 engine “Made in Germany” in over a decade—built in Neuburg an der Donau.
The R26 Challenger: A New Visual Identity
While the team kept the intricate details of the actual 2026 car design under wraps, they unveiled the definitive livery on a show car. The R26 features a striking palette of Titanium, Carbon Black, and a bold new Audi Red.
-
Design Philosophy: The livery prominently features the iconic four rings on the air intake and rear wing.
-
Early Testing: Audi confirmed they have already completed a successful filming day and shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya earlier this month, putting them “ahead of the game” in terms of track data.
The Audi Revolut F1 Team has arrived 🏁
Tap to reveal our very first livery. pic.twitter.com/vTpwssFyEE
— Revolut (@Revolut) January 20, 2026
Driver Lineup: The Veteran and the Protégé
Audi enters its debut season with a blend of proven stability and high-potential youth.
-
Nico Hülkenberg (#27): The experienced German driver enters his 13th full-time season. He carries momentum from a successful 2025 campaign where he secured a long-awaited career milestone—his first F1 podium at the British Grand Prix.
-
Gabriel Bortoleto (#5): The 21-year-old Brazilian talent continues with the team after a solid rookie year in 2025. Bortoleto is seen as a key pillar for Audi’s long-term “Mission 2030” goal of winning championships.
Technical Revolution: The 2026 Power Unit
The 2026 season introduces radical new technical regulations, which Audi cited as the primary reason for their entry. The new Power Units eliminate the MGU-H (Heat recovery) and shift toward a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power.
| Feature | 2026 Specification |
| Combustion Engine | 1.6-liter V6 Turbocharged |
| Fuel | 100% Advanced Sustainable E-Fuels |
| Electrical Power | 350kW (up from 120kW in 2025) |
| MGU-K | Nearly 3x more powerful recovery |
Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley, who joined from Red Bull, expressed confidence in the engine’s progress: “To see that powertrain attached to this chassis was an extraordinary moment. The engine sounds fantastic, and the integration between Neuburg and Hinwil is seamless.”
The Road Ahead: “Mission 2030”
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner emphasized that while they are entering with humility, their ambitions are absolute. The team has laid out a structured “ascent” to be title contenders by 2030.
Following the Berlin launch, the team will travel to Barcelona for “Shakedown Week,” where all 11 F1 teams will run their 2026-spec cars for three days of private testing.