This isn’t Audi’s first-ever Formula 1 car. That’ll come in January 2026. No, this is a preview of Audi’s first-ever Formula 1 car, revealed exactly 115 days before it embarks on its latest and most challenging circuit-racing adventure.
Welcome, then, to the Audi R26 Concept. Not an homage to Fernando Alonso’s title-winning Renault from 2006, but a “clear statement” that “provides a preview of the colour scheme and design of the brand’s first Formula 1 race car.” So, it’ll look...something like this, just with loads more sponsors plastered all over it.
Notice the “minimalist graphic surfaces, defined by precise geometric cuts.” And notice the color scheme, which is pure Audi: carbon black, titanium, and red. Speaking of red, Audi said it’ll now start incorporating red rings ‘selectively’ to let everyone know who isn’t watching on Sundays that it races on Sundays.
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You’ll know, of course, how we got here, though it’s a history that stretches a fair way back and takes in a fair few manufacturers, too. Sauber, started by Mr. Peter Sauber back in the ’70s, joined F1 in the ’90s, raced as Ford’s factory team for a brief stint, joined up with BMW—hey there, Kubica!—and then Alfa Romeo, and now the Four Rings of Power.
Indeed, Audi bought the entirety of the Sauber Group at the beginning of 2025, and hired former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto and former Red Bull honcho Jonathan Wheatley to run the outfit. Gabi Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg will don their Audi race suits from next year and do their utmost to tailgate—sorry, aggressively overtake—everyone on track.
Audi’s been working on the V6 hybrid engine since 2022 in Germany, not long after it announced it would enter F1, and we’re told the very first power units destined to be absolutely thrashed senseless by Gabi and Nico will be on their way to their ‘destinations’ next month.
That said, Audi boss Gernot Döllner is realistic about just how long it takes to win anything in this game. “We are not entering Formula 1 just to be there,” he said. “We want to win. At the same time, we know that you don’t become a top team in Formula 1 overnight. It takes time, perseverance, and tireless questioning of the status quo.
“By 2030, we want to fight for the World Championship title,” he added. Game on.
More photos of the Audi R26 Formula 1 concept car:
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
