More official images of Audi R26 Formula 1 car break cover

The Audi F1 team is morphing out of Sauber at the end of this season and the company says the work for their entry into the FIA Formula 1 World Championship is going full steam ahead and have the photos to prove it.

Development of the Audi Power Unit is being led by Audi Formula Racing GmbH in Neuburg an der Donau, while the chassis and race operations will be based at the long-established Hinwil factory in Switzerland. A Technology Office in Bicester gives the future team a presence in the heart of Motorsport Valley to attract engineering talent and key partners.

Audi emphasise that their project marks the first time in more than a decade that a Formula 1 powertrain is being built in Germany. They describe Formula 1 as globally recognised, highly emotional and technologically advanced, noting the championship’s reach in markets that matter to the brand.

Audi stated that after their electrified projects in Le Mans, Formula E and Dakar, entering Formula 1 is the next logical step for demonstrating Vorsprung durch Technik on the world stage.

The 2026 regulations will introduce greater electrification and sustainable fuels. Audi highlighted that electric motors will be nearly as powerful as combustion engines, which will produce about 400 kW. The company stressed that the 1.6 litre turbocharged engines will run on sustainable fuels, and that the cost cap now also applies to power unit manufacturers.

Audi explained that the Neuburg facility has been expanded with new test benches, technical rooms and workstations. The entire power unit, including the energy recovery system, battery, electric motor, control unit, combustion engine and gearbox, is being developed and built in Germany.

Hinwil will continue to be the home of the race team and the base for car development. Audi noted that the Swiss outfit brings more than 30 years of experience to the project following Audi’s complete acquisition of the Sauber Group in 2024.

The Bicester Technology Office, opened in July 2025, provides access to engineering expertise around Silverstone and is based within the Bicester Motion industrial park.

Audi said the visual identity of the future team follows the company’s principles of clear, technical, intelligent and emotional. The Audi R26 Concept, unveiled in Munich, previews the colour scheme of the 2026 race car which will be shown in full in January.

Audi confirmed their driver pairing early, opting for experience and youth with Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Hülkenberg signed a multi year deal in 2024 and brings around 250 Grand Prix starts to the project.

Mattia Binotto leads the Audi F1 Project across Neuburg, Hinwil and Bicester and is responsible for the overall sporting and technical direction. Jonathan Wheatley is the Team Principal at Sauber Motorsport AG and works with Binotto on the team’s transformation while managing race operations for the future Audi team.

Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management at Audi, also chairs the Sauber Board of Directors. Jürgen Rittersberger, responsible for Finance, Legal Affairs and IT at Audi, is also part of Sauber’s board and oversees the corporate governance of Audi Formula Racing GmbH.

Audi will unveil their first complete Formula 1 race car in January 2026 as anticipation builds for their entry into the championship.