Audi F1 Team

Audi will join Formula 1 as a full works team in 2026, taking over Sauber’s long running Swiss operation and combining it with its own factory power unit programme. With the chassis and race operations centred in Hinwil, Switzerland, and the Audi power unit developed by Audi Formula Racing GmbH in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany, the project marks the start of a new manufacturer era for the sport under the 2026 regulations.

Featured Image – Audi signs fintech giant as the title Formula 1 sponsor

Current Audi F1 Team Drivers

Audi will enter Formula 1 in 2026 with an all new works line up, marking the beginning of the manufacturer’s first full season in the sport. As the Sauber organisation transitions into the Audi works team, the driver pairing is expected to play a crucial role in establishing the team’s competitiveness under the new regulations.

Nico Hulkenberg

Nico Hulkenberg is a German Formula 1 driver for the Audi F1 Team, bringing vast experience, technical feedback, and proven qualifying speed as he leads the project into its debut season as a full works entry.

Driver Profile

Gabriel Bortoleto

Gabriel Bortoleto is a Brazilian Formula 1 driver for the Audi F1 Team and one of the sport’s most promising young talents, stepping up after an impressive junior career and a reputation for composure under pressure.

Driver Profile

Audi F1 Team History

Audi’s arrival in Formula 1 represents the culmination of one of motorsport’s most successful manufacturer legacies. Founded in Germany and headquartered in Ingolstadt, Audi has achieved major victories across multiple disciplines, including dominant eras in rallying, touring cars, endurance racing, and the Dakar Rally. The brand’s reputation was forged in the 1980s with its revolutionary quattro all wheel drive system, which transformed the World Rally Championship and established Audi as a pioneer of performance engineering.

In endurance racing, Audi became the benchmark at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning the event 13 times between 2000 and 2014 with technologically advanced prototypes powered by petrol, diesel, and hybrid systems. This sustained success cemented the company’s status as one of the most technically accomplished manufacturers in global motorsport and laid the foundation for a future top tier single seater programme.

Audi officially committed to Formula 1 in 2022, targeting the sweeping 2026 regulations that introduce sustainable fuels and advanced hybrid power units. Rather than building a team from scratch, Audi acquired a controlling stake in the long established Sauber organisation, one of Formula 1’s most respected independent constructors. Founded by Peter Sauber in 1970 and based in Hinwil, Switzerland, the team has competed in Formula 1 since 1993 and previously partnered with manufacturers including BMW.

Under the Audi project, the existing Sauber facilities in Hinwil continue to serve as the chassis and race operations headquarters, while a dedicated power unit division, Audi Formula Racing GmbH, develops the team’s engine in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany. This dual site structure mirrors Audi’s broader industrial expertise and allows the team to operate as a fully integrated works entry.

The Audi F1 Team will debut in the 2026 season as a complete factory operation, producing both chassis and power unit in house. With significant investment, experienced personnel, and the backing of a global automotive giant, the project is widely viewed as one of the most ambitious new entries of the modern Formula 1 era. Audi’s goal is not merely participation, but to establish itself as a long term contender at the front of the grid.

F1 car – Audi R26

Chassis: Audi R26
Power unit: Audi (Audi Formula Racing hybrid power unit)
Concept focus: Built around the 2026 ruleset prioritising aerodynamic efficiency and energy management, with the new smaller, lighter chassis format and active aerodynamics playing a central role.
Setup traits: Still to be confirmed publicly, but the early focus for 2026 cars is expected to revolve around balancing drag versus downforce across active aero modes, alongside optimising electrical deployment and sustainable fuel efficiency.
Upgrade path: Not announced. As a new works programme, Audi is expected to introduce rolling aerodynamic and power unit calibration updates as real world data from races accumulates.