<p>Audi has officially entered the Formula 1 arena with the unveiling of the Audi Revolut F1 Team in Berlin. The event, hosted at the iconic Kraftwerk location, marked the first public appearance of the Audi factory Formula 1 team. Nearly 400 guests, including key figures from the automotive and motorsport industries, attended the grand presentation.</p><p>During the event, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating, “We are ready and excited to inspire people around the world by taking part in Formula 1.”</p><h3>A Bold Step into Formula 1</h3><p>Audi's debut in Formula 1 is set for March 8, 2026, in Australia. The Audi R26, the team's race car, features a power unit developed at the Neuburg an der Donau facility, known as the AFR 26 Hybrid. This cutting-edge drivetrain was first tested in the chassis shortly before Christmas at the Hinwil site and had its initial rollout at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on January 9.</p><p>The 2026 Formula 1 season introduces significant technical changes, including active aerodynamics and a new ‘boost mode’ to replace the Drag Reduction System (DRS). This boost mode allows drivers to utilize additional electric power at the push of a button for strategic overtaking and defending maneuvers. The electric motor, with up to 350 kW output, nearly matches the power of the 400 kW 1.6-liter V6 turbo engine, which runs on sustainable fuel developed in partnership with British company bp.</p><h3>Team Identity and Future Plans</h3><p>In Berlin, the Audi Revolut F1 Team also showcased their team clothing and driver overalls, which will be worn by drivers Gabriel Bortoleto from Brazil and Germany's Nico Hülkenberg. These elements, along with the unique race livery, form part of Audi's distinct corporate identity for its F1 team, featuring the signature colors Titanium and Audi Red.</p><p>The fan collection, which includes team merchandise, will be available from February 19 through the team's website and Adidas, further establishing Audi's brand presence in the F1 sphere.</p><p>Looking ahead, the Audi Revolut F1 Team will conduct a shakedown of the new generation Formula 1 cars in a closed session at Barcelona from January 26 to 30. This will be followed by official test sessions in Bahrain from February 11-13 and February 18-20, where the Audi R26 will complete its final test laps before making its race debut.</p><h3>Strategic Vision and Technological Innovation</h3><p>Audi's entry into Formula 1 is more than just a sporting endeavor; it is a strategic move reflecting the brand's technological, cultural, and entrepreneurial realignment. The project aims to captivate both customers and employees, leveraging the global platform of Formula 1 to enhance brand visibility and sponsorship opportunities. The introduction of new technical regulations aligns perfectly with Audi’s focus on innovation, particularly concerning sustainable fuels and electric power.</p><p>With a rich history in motorsport, Audi has consistently driven technological advancements, from pioneering quattro all-wheel drive in rallying to leading the charge in electric powertrains at Le Mans and Formula E. The Formula 1 project is a continuation of Audi’s legacy of innovation and success in motorsports.</p><p>As part of this initiative, Audi has launched a new Content Hub, providing media with exclusive insights and updates on the team’s activities. This platform will serve as a central point for media engagement and distribution of news throughout the Formula 1 season.</p>

Audi Unveils Revolut F1 Team in Berlin with R26 Race Car

<p>Audi Revolut F1 Team announces its official identity and prepares for a spectacular Berlin launch event on January 20, 2026. This landmark revelation sets the stage for Audi's highly anticipated entry into the Formula One World Championship, showcasing a groundbreaking partnership that redefines traditional motorsport sponsorship.</p><h3>A New Breed of Racing Alliance</h3><p>The freshly unveiled team name and logo crystallize an unconventional partnership first confirmed in July 2025. While typical F1 sponsorships focus on branding space, this collaboration represents a strategic merger of automotive engineering and financial technology at multiple operational levels:</p><ul><li>Integration of Revolut Business solutions into team financial operations</li><li>Implementation of Revolut Pay in the official team store</li><li>Exclusive app-based fan experiences for Revolut users</li><li>Shared technological innovation initiatives</li></ul><p>"This gives our ambition a clear identity," said Gernot Döllner, AUDI AG CEO, emphasizing the partnership's transformative nature. "It reflects a strong vision and innovative spirit that will define our Formula 1 journey."</p><h3>Berlin Launch: Where Technology Meets Theater</h3><p>The German capital will host an unprecedented two-day reveal event that blends motorsport theater with interactive technology:</p><ul><li>January 20, 2026: Exclusive immersive launch experience</li><li>January 21, 2026: Public opening for fan participation</li></ul><p>Central to the spectacle will be the full unveiling of the 2026 race livery, following November's Audi R26 Concept reveal. The design aims to translate Audi's core brand principles - clarity, technical intelligence, and emotion - into a visually striking track presence with less than 50 days remaining before the team's competitive debut.</p><h3>Organizational Evolution</h3><p>The team's formation brings structural changes that honor legacy while embracing new identity:</p><ul><li>Sauber Motorsport AG becomes Audi Motorsport AG</li><li>UK Technology Centre renamed Audi Motorsport Technology Centre UK</li><li>Sauber Holding AG and Sauber Technologies AG retain original names</li></ul><p>Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley described these changes as creating "a banner under which we all unite," emphasizing the combined strength of operations across Germany, UK, and Switzerland.</p><h3>Voices of the Revolution</h3><p>Key figures outlined the project's aspirations through carefully crafted statements:</p><p>Mattia Binotto, Head of Audi F1 Project, highlighted the team's growing momentum: "The Berlin launch will be the first moment we stand together as a collective and invite our global fan base to join us."</p><p>Revolut CEO Nikolay Storonsky positioned the venture as a cultural statement: "We're uniting with a shared obsession with engineering excellence to challenge the status quo."</p><h3>The Road Ahead</h3><p>As Berlin's event preparations enter their final phase, the Audi Revolut F1 Team balances historical precedent with future-forward ambition. The coming weeks will reveal how effectively this automotive-fintech hybrid can translate its off-track synergy into on-track performance when the lights go out on the 2026 season.</p><p>With revolution embedded in both partners' names, all eyes will be on how this alliance reshapes Formula 1's commercial and competitive landscapes. The Berlin launch doesn't just unveil a racing team - it showcases a prototype for next-generation motorsport partnerships where sponsorship evolves into full operational integration.</p>

F1

Audi Unveils Revolut F1 Team in Berlin with R26 Race Car

Audi and Revolut Forge a New Era in Formula 1 with Team Launch in Berlin