The automaker opted for a color scheme of titanium, carbon black, and Audi red, as the manufacturer calls it. © APA/afp / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

Show at the power plant: Audi reveals its next Formula 1 secret

With a spectacular event in a former Berlin power plant, the Audi team unveiled another secret ahead of its Formula 1 debut. The automaker's new factory racing team presented the future livery of its race cars to the public for the first time, hosting an elaborate show in the capital.

20 January 2026

From: dpa/sn

“A moment we have been working towards for many years,” said Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. The automaker opted for a color scheme of titanium, carbon black, and Audi red, as the manufacturer calls it.

He felt excitement and pride, said Nico Hülkenberg (38), who will form the driver pairing with Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (21). "This is part of something big. For me, this is a great opportunity," Hülkenberg added.

Regulatory revolution as an opportunity for Audi

Audi announced its entry into Formula 1 as a works team in the summer of 2022, taking over the Swiss Sauber racing team. In the new season, which starts on March 8th in Melbourne, the project will make its Grand Prix debut under the official name Audi Revolut F1 Team. "We are starting from humble beginnings and have an ambitious project ahead of us. We have a lot to do before the first race," said team principal Jonathan Wheatley.

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. © APA/afp / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

A decisive factor in the automaker's decision to invest millions in its own Formula 1 racing team is the regulatory revolution taking effect this year. New regulations govern the design of the race cars. The hybrid powertrains will now derive 50 percent of their power from a combustion engine and 50 percent from a battery, and the fuel will be 100 percent sustainable. Audi sees this new beginning for the racing series as an opportunity to compete at the front of the field as soon as possible.

Goal: To win the title by 2030

It's impossible to know where Audi will stand at the start of the season compared to the other teams, said project manager Mattia Binotto. The team's management had set its sights on challenging for the title in 2030. "That's certainly ambitious. But we've discussed it internally and believe it's the right goal. Only when you have a goal can you define what's missing and what else is needed," said Binotto.