Audi reveals first F1 car for 2026 with five-year title plan: ‘Not here to mess around’
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Audi unveiled its first Formula One car, the R26, for the 2026 season at an event in Berlin, marking its rebranding from Sauber and reaffirming a five-year goal to compete for world championships by 2030.
- The 2026 season introduces a new technical era in F1 with redesigned cars, active aerodynamics, and powerful new hybrid engines, and Audi has integrated its operations across Switzerland, Germany, and the UK to control all aspects of the project.
- Despite acquiring Sauber and inheriting its infrastructure, Audi acknowledges the challenge of competing against established teams like Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren, emphasizing a humble approach focused on continuous learning and long-term progress.
- Drivers Nico Hülken
