115 days earlier than its debut, Audi has supplied a sneak preview of its F1 idea because it targets 2030 because the yr through which will probably be battling for the title.
“By coming into the head of motorsport, Audi is making a transparent, formidable assertion,” says Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. “It’s the subsequent chapter within the firm’s renewal. System 1 shall be a catalyst for the change in direction of a leaner, quicker and extra revolutionary Audi.”
Based on Döllner, Audi is coming into the sequence with an formidable but reasonable roadmap: “We aren’t coming into System 1 simply to be there. We need to win. On the similar time, we all know that you do not grow to be a prime group in System 1 in a single day. It takes time, perseverance and tireless questioning of the established order. By 2030, we need to battle for the World Championship title.”
The R26 idea is a transparent assertion and offers a preview of the color scheme and design of the model’s first System 1 race automobile, which shall be unveiled in January. This visible id is predicated on the not too long ago launched design philosophy and its 4 design rules: clear, technical, clever and emotional.
“We’re implementing a unifying design language that pulls collectively each facet of our group,” says Audi Chief Artistic Officer Massimo Frascella. “This makes the System 1 mission a pioneer for the brand new model id, which shall be rolled out sooner or later each for the F1 group and Audi as a complete.”
The R26 Idea is without doubt one of the first expressions of the model’s new visible id. Minimalist graphic surfaces, outlined by exact geometric cuts, combine seamlessly with the racing automobile’s geometry. The color palette options titanium, carbon black and the newly launched Audi purple. As a part of this id, Audi will even sport purple rings, used selectively to underscore its System 1 presence.
The F1 mission is a strategic flagship for Audi, reflecting the technological, cultural and entrepreneurial reinvention of the model. It’s supposed to encourage prospects and staff alike. Growth and racing happen inside an economically engaging framework: a price cap relevant to all groups ensures a clearly outlined finances and circumstances, whereas the worldwide attain of System 1 gives sturdy model publicity and sponsorship alternatives.
System 1 has been a globally established sports activities platform for many years and, with greater than 820 million followers, is the world’s hottest sports activities sequence. In 2024, round 1.6 billion TV viewers watched the races. The monetary valuations of System 1 groups are within the billions. The longer term Audi F1 group already has three international firms as companions – adidas, bp and future title accomplice Revolut – and there may be nice curiosity in supporting Audi in System 1.
To enter System 1, Audi acquired the Sauber Group in its entirety in the beginning of this yr, thereby creating the circumstances to carry Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund on board as an investor. On the helm of the Audi F1 Undertaking are two skilled System 1 managers, former Ferrari Staff Principal Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley (previously Crimson Bull), who report on to Döllner. When it comes to drivers, the corporate is counting on a mix of expertise and youthful power with seasoned racing driver Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
“System 1 is extra than simply motorsport,” says Jurgen Rittersberger, CFO of AUDI AG. “It is leisure, emotion, expertise – and in addition a problem. However it’s exactly this mixture that takes us the place we need to go: inspiring new buyer teams for Audi. With the large attain of System 1, we’ve the chance to draw new prospects for our model – particularly within the youthful goal group, the place System 1 is experiencing speedy progress. Because of the fee cap, System 1 can also be extra financially sustainable than ever earlier than. After we take a look at the event of sponsorship alternatives, group evaluations, and the general income potential in System 1, one factor turns into clear: This path makes excellent sense for Audi – additionally economically.”
Motorsport is a part of the Audi DNA and has at all times been a driving drive for technological progress and innovation. From the primary mid-engine Grand Prix automobile to quattro all-wheel drive in rallying, to diesel, hybrid and electrical powertrains at Le Mans, in System E and on the Dakar Rally, Audi has led each motorsport mission to success with willpower, braveness, perseverance and group spirit, at all times pioneering new floor. The System 1 involvement of Audi is meant to construct on this.
Far-reaching adjustments to the technical rules of System 1 from 2026 onwards current a perfect alternative for Audi, as a newcomer, to enter the head of motorsport. All opponents should familiarize themselves with new rules and applied sciences on the similar time, each when it comes to the chassis and the drivetrain.
Since spring 2022, Audi has been growing the ability unit in Neuburg an der Donau – the one operational location of an F1 group in Germany. It consists of a V6 inside combustion engine (ICE) with a displacement of 1.6 litres and turbocharging, an power restoration system (ERS) together with power storage (ES) and an electrical motor generator unit (MGU-Ok), in addition to an digital management unit (CU-Ok). Along with the ability unit, the gearbox can also be being developed in Neuburg. Along with the ability unit, they kind what is called the powertrain. The brand new technical rules for F1 powertrains give attention to larger road-car relevance with a brand new hybrid idea. The output of the electrical motor has been tripled and can in future be on a comparable degree with the combustion engine, which shall be powered by sustainable fuels from 2026. Audi has been working solely with the British firm bp on this since 2022.
Idea growth for the F1 powertrain ‘made in Germany’ started in 2022. Simply two years later, the whole powertrain ran dynamically as a unit for the primary time in a race simulation on the check bench. Digital simulations and digital growth instruments are significantly vital right here, as rules imply that it’ll not be doable to check the brand new powertrains on a racetrack till early 2026. As with product growth at Audi, dynamic driving simulators, digital instruments and strategies play a major position within the growth course of. The primary energy items to be used on the racetrack have now been accomplished and shall be shipped from Neuburg an der Donau to their respective places beginning in December.
The group develops and builds the race vehicles on the manufacturing facility in Hinwil. The Swiss location can also be answerable for planning and executing race operations. As well as, a expertise workplace has been in operation in Bicester within the UK since summer time 2025. The presence within the so-called ‘Motorsport Valley’ offers the group entry to further F1 experience. There’s intensive technical cooperation between the places to completely exploit the benefits and alternatives of a manufacturing facility group by the seamless integration of energy unit and chassis.
The group will make its full public debut on the official group launch in January 2026. Shortly thereafter, the primary official check drives with the new-generation System 1 vehicles will happen on the finish of January at Barcelona, Spain – nonetheless behind closed doorways. Throughout additional checks in Bahrain (11-13 February and 18-20 February), the group will check in System 1 in entrance of the general public for the primary time, earlier than the model’s eagerly awaited debut within the pinnacle of motorsport takes place in Melbourne (Australia) from 6-8 March.
