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Audi Launches R26 Livery, Sets 2030 Title Goal in Works F1 Debut

The works entry begins with a reliability-first program built around a private Barcelona shakedown.

Overview

  • At a Berlin event, the team revealed a silver and black scheme with Lava Red accents featuring prominent Revolut branding as title sponsor.
  • Audi confirmed it will run an in-house 2026 power unit from Neuburg with chassis operations anchored in Hinwil and a technical hub in Bicester.
  • The launch used a show car and followed an early online leak of images, with the real R26 already completing a Jan. 9 filming shakedown in Barcelona.
  • Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto remain the drivers under team principal Jonathan Wheatley, with Mattia Binotto leading the project.
  • The program moves to a closed Barcelona test on Jan. 26–30, then two Bahrain sessions in February before the season opens in Australia in March.