Audi Unveils Glossy 2026 F1 Livery On Idea Automobile

Within the political melee that resulted in Cadillac becoming a member of F1 with out Michael Andretti because the championship’s eleventh staff, it was simple to overlook that Audi additionally joined the grid for 2026 by buying Sauber. The debuting manufacturing unit staff unveiled a preview of its race livery on Wednesday. Together with the reveal, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner publicly set the bold purpose that the staff will contend for the championship by 2030.

The reveal was extra of a press release of intent than anything. Nothing considered was within the last kind that followers would see throughout subsequent yr’s season opener in Australia. The R26 Idea was simply that, an idea. The precise automotive is slated to be launched in January, and the automotive’s minimalist livery might be coated in sponsor logos. The preview livery itself is a glossy mixture of titanium, black and a vivid shade of purple that might be splashed throughout all of Audi’s company branding. Whereas the paint scheme is futuristic, it additionally harkens again to Audi’s earlier race-winning equipment, from its dominant Le Mans prototypes to Auto Union’s Grand Prix automobiles. Massimo Frascella, Audi’s Chief Artistic Officer, stated in a launch:

“We’re implementing a unifying design language that attracts collectively each facet of our group. This makes the Formulation 1 undertaking a pioneer for the brand new model id, which might be rolled out sooner or later each for the F1 staff and Audi as an entire.”

It is secure to say that Audi has loads of room for enchancment primarily based on the place Sauber at present stands within the aggressive order. The Swiss outfit is ninth within the World Constructors’ Championship with three rounds left within the season. Nevertheless, Audi administration goals to be among the many high in 5 seasons, and the automaker has been creating its 2026 energy unit since 2022. Döllner stated:

“We aren’t coming into Formulation 1 simply to be there. We need to win. On the identical time, we all know that you do not change into a high staff in Formulation 1 in a single day. It takes time, perseverance and tireless questioning of the established order. By 2030, we need to struggle for the World Championship title.”

The aggressive order in F1 tends to shift at a glacial tempo with a handful of notable exceptions. Subsequent yr, the huge laws change is a type of exceptions. Brawn GP famously received the 2009 championship after Honda withdrew from the game throughout the international monetary disaster and offered the staff to staff principal Ross Brawn for a single British pound. Honda had completed ninth within the earlier season and hoped to leap up the order by benefiting from an enormous guidelines change. May Audi do the identical? I do not know.