Audi R26
Gabriel Bortoleto driving the Audi R26 at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix | |||||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designers |
| ||||||||||
| Predecessor | Kick Sauber C45 (Sauber) | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||||
| Chassis | Carbon fibre composite with survival cell and honeycomb structure | ||||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Double wishbone push-rod | ||||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Double wishbone push-rod | ||||||||||
| Length | 5440mm | ||||||||||
| Width | 1,900mm | ||||||||||
| Height | 980mm | ||||||||||
| Engine | Audi AFR 26 Hybrid 1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 turbocharged engine in a rear mid-mounted, rear-wheel-drive layout | ||||||||||
| Electric motor | Audi Kinetic Recovery System | ||||||||||
| Battery | Audi Lithium-ion battery | ||||||||||
| Weight | 770kg | ||||||||||
| Fuel | BP Ultimate Sustainable 437B | ||||||||||
| Lubricants | Castrol | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (Dry) Pirelli Cinturato (Wet) | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Audi Revolut F1 Team | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers | |||||||||||
| Debut | 2026 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last event | 2026 Chinese Grand Prix | ||||||||||
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The Audi R26 is a Formula One car that was designed and constructed by Audi to compete in the 2026 Formula One World Championship. It is currently being driven by Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, both drivers continuing their contracts from when the team was named Sauber.
The R26 is the first Hinwil-based Formula One car to utilize non-Ferrari engines since the BMW-powered BMW Sauber F1.09 in the 2009 season, also the first Hinwil-based Formula One car to utilize Castrol-branded lubricant since the Ford Cosworth-powered Sauber C14 in the 1995 season and also the first Formula One car to carry the BP and Castrol logos brands since Renault-powered Alpine A524 in 2024 season.
Background
Development context
Significant changes to the technical regulations were introduced for 2026, affecting both the chassis and engine.
Launch and pre-season testing
On 19 December 2025, Audi completed its inaugural fire-up of the car at the team's Hinwil site in Switzerland.[1] Their first shakedown of the R26 took place on 9 January 2026 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and it was officially launched on 20 January 2026 at the Kraftwerk in Berlin.[2][3]
Complete Formula One results
| Key | |
|---|---|
| Colour | Result |
| Gold | Winner |
| Silver | Second place |
| Bronze | Third place |
| Green | Other points position |
| Blue | Other classified position |
| Not classified, finished (NC) | |
| Purple | Not classified, retired (Ret) |
| Red | Did not qualify (DNQ) |
| Black | Disqualified (DSQ) |
| White | Did not start (DNS) |
| Race cancelled (C) | |
| Blank | Did not practice (DNP) |
| Excluded (EX) | |
| Did not arrive (DNA) | |
| Withdrawn (WD) | |
| Did not enter (empty cell) | |
| Annotation | Meaning |
| P | Pole position |
| F | Fastest lap |
| Superscript number |
Points-scoring position in sprint |
| Year | Entrant | Power unit | Tyres | Driver name | Grands Prix | Points | WCC pos. | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | CHN | JPN | MIA | CAN | MON | BAR | AUT | GBR | BEL | HUN | NED | ITA | ESP | AZE | SGP | USA | MXC | SAP | LVG | QAT | ABU | |||||||
| 2026 | Audi Revolut F1 Team | Audi AFR 26 Hybrid | P | Gabriel Bortoleto | 9 | DNS | 2* | 8th* | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nico Hülkenberg | DNS | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Season still in progress.
References
- ^ "'This marks a new beginning' – Audi complete first fire-up of 2026 F1 car". Formula1.com. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Audi Revolut F1 Team opens new chapter with immersive Berlin spectacle". Audi F1 Team. 20 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Boxall-Legge, Jake (11 January 2026). "First footage of Audi 2026 F1 car emerges at Barcelona shakedown". Autosport. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
External links
- Media related to the Audi R26 at Wikimedia Commons
- Audi official website