Audi R26 Concept Previews Marque’s 2026 Formula 1 Contender

Audi’s new R26 concept has been officially unveiled ahead of its competitive debut in the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Audi has unveiled its Formula 1 (F1) racer concept ahead of its competitive debut next year, dubbed the Audi R26 Concept. Created by Audi’s head designer Massimo Frascella, the R26 Concept is being described as a “clear statement” of the marque’s new brand identity, featuring a fairly minimalistic design that follows the same philosophy as the new Audi Concept C.

Audi R26 Concept F1 car

Starting off with the livery design, the R26 Concept rocks a simple geometrical design featuring three colours—silver, black, and red—that has been used in many of Audi’s racing endeavors in the past. Given its concept form, the R26 does not feature any sponsor badges and logos, with the only notable branding here being Audi’s signature four-ringed logo placed on the rear wing, side air intake, and the front part.

Beneath the minimalist drape, the R26 Concept will feature Audi’s own power unit, which the automaker has been developing since 2022. In line with the new 2026 regulations for F1, the actual race version of the R26 will feature a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engine that is mated to an electric motor generator unit, an energy recovery system, and an 8-speed transmission.

What’s new for the 2026 season is that the power unit must feature an equal 50:50 split of combustion and electric power, rather than the current 85:15 ratio. This means that the amount of power generated by the electric motors will be tripled compared to the current unit, thus requiring engine makers to put more emphasis on the development of their electric components.

Part of this new regulation is to see automakers provide invaluable knowledge in developing new technologies for hybrid and battery electric drivetrains that will hopefully trickle down to future hybrids and EVs.

Back to the R26, while the engine is being developed at a special site in Neuburg an der Donau, a town near its headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany, the whole car will instead be built and run out of Hinwil, Switzerland, which is the home of the historic Sauber team.

This arrangement is simply part of Audi’s acquisition of the Swiss racing outfit, although an additional R&D centre is also being opened in Bicester, England, thus putting it quite nearby other F1 constructors like Alpine, Red Bull, Williams, and Mercedes-AMG.

In charge of Audi’s whole F1 project is former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto, while Jonathan Wheatley—Red Bull’s former sporting director—will continue his role as the team principal with Audi. Also retained is Sauber’s current driver lineup of German veteran Nico Hulkenberg and young Brazilian stalwart Gabriel Bortoleto.

The Audi R25 Formula 1 car is slated to make its first track appearance later at the pre-season testing session, which will take place at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain on Jan 26 next year.