Audi F1 Team 2026: Drivers, Car, Engine, Logo, Principal, and Careers

Audi is stepping into Formula 1 with big ambitions and a clear plan. The company confirmed its official entry into Formula 1 for the 2026 season. The move marks one of the most anticipated arrivals in modern F1 history. Audi’s decision is driven by the upcoming technical regulations that focus on sustainability, hybrid power, and cost efficiency. 

This entry will make Audi both a constructor and a power unit manufacturer, giving full control over its car’s performance and strategy.

Journey Toward Audi F1 Team Formula 1

Audi announced its Formula 1 entry in 2022 during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. The company had been studying the sport’s future direction for years. Once Formula 1 confirmed that the 2026 regulations would emphasize electric power and synthetic fuels, Audi saw a perfect opportunity to join.

To make its dream a reality, Audi partnered with Sauber Motorsport, a team with decades of F1 experience. Sauber has been known for its technical expertise and advanced facilities in Switzerland. Audi is gradually taking over the team to turn it into a full factory operation. By 2026, the transformation will be complete, and Sauber will officially become the Audi F1 Team.

Team Name and Identity

The new team will compete under the name Audi F1 Team. Its branding will proudly feature Audi’s iconic four rings. The car’s color scheme will blend Audi’s traditional silver and red tones with modern racing designs. The overall image reflects both the brand’s heritage and its forward-looking spirit.

Audi’s factory F1 team will represent a new identity for the company in global motorsport. It will mark the first time Audi competes in Formula 1 as a constructor. The team’s base will be split between Neuburg, Germany, where the engine will be built, and Hinwil, Switzerland, where the chassis and racing operations will take place.

Leadership and Management

Audi has built a powerful leadership team to guide its Formula 1 journey. At the top of the structure, Jonathan Wheatley serves as the Team Principal, responsible for overseeing racing operations, performance, and team management.

Supporting him is Mattia Binotto, who acts as Head of the Audi F1 Project and Chief Technical Officer. His experience from leading Ferrari’s F1 team gives Audi a strong technical edge.

Overseeing the entire operation is Gernot Döllner, the CEO of Audi AG. His vision ensures that the Formula 1 program aligns with Audi’s global strategy for electrification and innovation.

Audi’s management structure combines motorsport experience with corporate stability. This balanced approach gives the team a solid foundation as it builds toward its first race.

Drivers and Racing Lineup

Audi’s first driver lineup combines experience and youth. Nico Hülkenberg, one of Formula 1’s most reliable and consistent drivers, will lead the team on track. His technical feedback and racecraft make him a strong choice for Audi’s early seasons.

Alongside him will be Gabriel Bortoleto, a young and talented Brazilian driver. His inclusion reflects Audi’s focus on developing the next generation of racing talent. Together, they form a balanced pairing capable of guiding Audi through its development phase.

The drivers will initially race under the Sauber name during the transition in 2025. Once Audi officially takes full control in 2026, both drivers will represent the new factory team.

Audi’s Power Unit – Innovation at the Core

Audi is designing its own Formula 1 power unit for 2026. The engine is being developed at the company’s advanced motorsport facility in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany. This marks the first time a German manufacturer has produced an F1 power unit in over a decade.

The engine combines a turbocharged internal combustion engine with a high-performance electric hybrid system. Audi engineers are focusing on fuel efficiency, power output, and energy recovery. The hybrid system will supply nearly half of the car’s total power, matching Formula 1’s new sustainable goals.

Audi is also working on a new generation of synthetic fuels designed to minimize carbon emissions. This move aligns with both Audi’s environmental strategy and Formula 1’s 2030 net-zero carbon target.

Car Design and Development

The chassis and aerodynamics will be developed in Hinwil, Switzerland, at the Sauber headquarters. The team there has decades of experience building competitive Formula 1 cars. Audi engineers and Sauber designers are working together to create a lightweight, aerodynamic car that complements the new engine.

The 2025 car, currently called the Kick Sauber C45, will act as a bridge between Sauber’s existing design and Audi’s upcoming F1 car. This transition allows the engineers to gather valuable data before the new engine debuts.

Every detail of the Audi F1 car is being designed to reflect the brand’s core values of precision, technology, and performance. The focus is on efficient cooling, reduced drag, and optimized balance between downforce and straight-line speed.

Team Facilities and Structure

Audi’s Formula 1 project operates through three main locations.

• Neuburg, Germany: Power unit development and hybrid systems.
• Hinwil, Switzerland: Chassis construction, aerodynamics, and race operations.
• Bicester, United Kingdom: A new technical hub for research, design, and access to engineering talent.
  

This tri-location structure gives Audi access to the best motorsport resources across Europe. It allows teams to collaborate while focusing on specialized areas of the car’s performance.

Career Opportunities at Audi F1

Audi’s entry into Formula 1 has opened hundreds of new career paths. The team is hiring engineers, mechanics, aerodynamicists, designers, strategists, and logistics experts. Many positions are based in Germany and Switzerland, but the company is also expanding its presence in the United Kingdom.

Jobs at the Audi F1 Team offer the chance to work with cutting-edge automotive technology and be part of one of the world’s most prestigious motorsport programs. The company seeks skilled professionals who can innovate under pressure and contribute to a global racing project.

For young engineers and graduates, Audi’s F1 division also plans to create internship and apprenticeship programs. These initiatives will help train the next generation of motorsport professionals.

Audi F1 Team Merchandise

Audi fans are already showing excitement for the brand’s Formula 1 entry. The company is preparing an official line of team merchandise that includes caps, jackets, shirts, and accessories.

Audi has partnered with adidas to create high-quality apparel for both fans and team members. The designs will showcase the Audi F1 Team logo and color scheme. Merchandise will be available through Audi’s online store and official Formula 1 outlets once the team launches publicly in 2026.

Challenges 

Audi faces several major challenges before the first race. Building a competitive power unit from scratch is one of the toughest tasks in Formula 1. The competition is fierce, with teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull already dominating.

Integrating multiple teams and facilities across Europe adds complexity to operations. Ensuring perfect coordination between Germany, Switzerland, and the UK will be critical.

However, Audi’s biggest strength lies in its resources and long-term vision. The brand has decades of success in endurance racing and touring car championships. Those experiences provide valuable knowledge in reliability, engineering, and teamwork.