Audi unveils iconic silver livery for F1 debut in 2026

With a striking silver, black and red livery, Audi has officially confirmed its entry into Formula 1. During a major launch event in Berlin, the brand presented not only the colours of its first F1 car, but also its ambitions:

Audi is not entering the sport to learn, but to build a long‑term factory team.

The car carries the name R26, a clear reference to the season in which Audi will make its debut as a fully fledged constructor. The project follows the complete takeover of Sauber, allowing Audi to combine the foundations of a historic team with its own technology, capital and motorsport DNA.

Silver returns: heritage as a statement

That Audi chooses a predominantly silver livery is no coincidence. It’s a deliberate nod to the legendary Silver Arrows, but at the same time a modern, reinterpreted design. The black engine cover highlights the technical core of the car, while red accents (partly influenced by title sponsor Revolut) add contrast and aggression.

In typical Audi fashion: this isn’t a marketing story, but a statement of identity. Audi immediately positions itself as a brand with historical weight and modern ambition. Not an experiment, not a transition phase — this is a factory team that takes itself seriously from lap one.

From Sauber to Audi: not a rebrand, but a reset

The announcement that Sauber would operate fully as Audi from 2026 dates back to 2022, but behind the scenes something much bigger has been built than a new badge on the nose. Under the leadership of Mattia Binotto, who joined the project in 2024, Audi received full backing from the board. According to Binotto, that is the key difference from other newcomers:

“From day one there was full commitment. When you know the brand, the board and the resources are behind you, you can actually execute a plan.”

And that plan is ambitious: Audi is developing its own power unit in Neuburg an der Donau, fully tailored to the new F1 rules of 2026.

2026 regulations: why Audi is entering right now

The timing of Audi’s entry is anything but random. In 2026 Formula 1 undergoes the biggest technical reset in decades:

• The cars become smaller and lighter

• The powertrain shifts to an almost 50/50 split between combustion engine and electrical energy

• Sustainability, efficiency and software become decisive

And that is exactly where Audi’s strengths lie. As a brand that dominated Le Mans, DTM and WEC for years, Audi is deeply familiar with hybrid complexity, energy recovery and long development cycles. This is not a leap into the unknown, but a strategic move at the perfect moment.

Focus for 2026: data, reliability and mileage

Should we expect Audi to fight for podiums immediately? Internally, they’re surprisingly realistic. Technical director James Key stresses that 2026 is first and foremost about learning.

The first pre‑season test in Barcelona (26–30 January) will be crucial, followed by extensive testing in Bahrain. For Audi, track data is gold — especially for the power‑unit department in Neuburg, which until now has worked mainly with simulations and dyno testing.

AutoNext sums it up like this: 2026 is Audi’s foundation year. Anyone laughing at a cautious approach forgets how often major teams have stumbled by trying to move too fast.

Driver line-up: experience and future

Audi deliberately opts for a combination of experience and long‑term potential:

• Nico Hülkenberg – experience, technical feedback and stability

• Gabriel Bortoleto – young talent, speed and long‑term vision

Not a marketing choice, but a rational line‑up for a team under construction.