The roar of engines is back at Audi! After years of waiting, the brand with the rings is making its debut on the Formula 1 stage. Far from being a mere trial run, this arrival is a genuine large-scale project, driven by clear ambitions: to secure titles by 2030. Hold on tight, as the best is yet to come.
A spectacular entry into F1
The wait has been long enough; the time for the rings has come. Ninety years after its first Grand Prix victory (back when Formula 1 wasn’t even a term), and a quarter of a century after making history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi is finally entering the prestigious championship. After more than two years of preparation, the transformation of the Sauber team is now a reality.
For Audi’s CEO, Gernot Döllner, Formula 1 “represents the ultimate stage” for the brand to showcase its ambitions, while also being “a powerful catalyst for the future”. On Tuesday, 20 January in Berlin, the German manufacturer unveiled its team, led by Mattia Binotto (project director) and Jonathan Wheatley (team principal), with main drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Introduction of the Audi R26
About ten days after its first laps in Barcelona during a very discreet shakedown, the brand revealed its final livery. We will have to wait a bit longer to see the true Audi R26, as the colours have been applied to a showcar. This first appearance is already generating buzz.
Now adorned with its sponsors, the single-seater adopts the livery concept presented last November. Audi aims to have “the most elegant and remarkable car on the grid”, opting for an aesthetic that reflects four key principles: clarity, technology, intelligence, and emotion. Each will judge according to their preferences, but the important thing is that this livery will capture attention on the circuit.
Audi’s ambitions in Formula 1
The first major appointment is set for Barcelona, where closed tests will allow each team to run for three days. Jonathan Wheatley does not hide his ambitions: “Formula 1 is the most complex team sport in the world.” For him, success will depend on the team’s mindset: “Resilience, precision, and relentless curiosity will be our guiding words.”
Audi has reiterated that its plan for Formula 1 remains ambitious and clear: “to win titles by 2030”. This challenge is no small feat, especially in a sport where competition is fierce and every detail counts. But Audi seems determined to take on the challenge with seriousness and passion.
A winning integration strategy
Mattia Binotto concludes by emphasising the importance of the 2026 regulations, which he considers the ideal moment to enter Formula 1: “We are a true factory team from day one. The power unit and chassis are developed in total synergy; they are two elements designed for each other.” This integration is not just a detail but the very heart of their competition strategy.
Audi is therefore aiming high and far. The road will be fraught with challenges, but with a strong team and a clear vision, the brand could well realise its dreams of greatness in the ruthless world of Formula 1. Motorsport enthusiasts will have their eyes fixed on this team that aims to make history.
