On Wednesday, Audi unveiled its eagerly anticipated R26 concept car and livery, previewing the team’s look ahead of its Formula 1 debut in 2026. The company says it aims to challenge for the F1 World Championship by 2030.

The titanium, carbon black, and Audi red concept is a brand-new identity for the team formerly known as Sauber. Nico Hülkenberg will drive for the Audi F1 factory team in 2026 after signing a multi-year contract with Sauber in 2024. Gabriel Bortoleto, a previous winner of both the Formula 3 and Formula 2 Championships, will serve as the other team driver.

Mattia Binotto, formerly the Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari, is the Head of the Audi F1 Project. Jonathan Wheatley serves as the Audi F1 Project Team Principal and will manage the race operations.

Audi plans to be competitive in Formula 1 right away

“The next two years we will be challengers,” Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said at the unveiling event. “We have to improve from where we are today and have ambitions also for 2026 and 2027. These years are the challenger years. And from 2028 on, we want to become real competitors and then from 2030 on fight for the championship.”

“This is the first time in more than a decade that a Formula 1 powertrain is being developed and built in Germany. Formula 1 is globally recognized, highly emotional, and technologically advanced,” Audi said in a statement announcing the unveiling. “The championship’s popularity is huge as one of the sporting events with the highest reach. The Formula 1 races take place all over the world, including regions and markets that are particularly important to Audi.

“After using various electrified powertrain concepts in previous motorsport projects such as Le Mans, Formula E and the Dakar Rally, Formula 1 is the next logical step for Audi to demonstrate its brand slogan of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ [Progress Through Technology] on racetracks worldwide.”