Audi joined Formula 1 for the 2026 season, making its official grid debut at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Audi entered F1 by taking full ownership of Sauber Motorsport, establishing a complete factory works entry operating under the official team name Audi Revolut F1 Team.
Key takeaways:
- Audi announced its entry into Formula 1 in August 2022, targeting the major 2026 engine regulation overhaul.
- Audi acquired 100% of Sauber Motorsport, fully replacing the Sauber and Kick Sauber branding on the F1 grid.
- The team operates across three main facilities: Neuburg an der Donau for power units, Hinwil for chassis, and a UK technology hub in Bicester.
- Audi’s confirmed 2026 race driver lineup features experienced veteran Nico Hülkenberg alongside Brazilian star Gabriel Bortoleto.
When is Audi joining F1?
Audi officially joined Formula 1 as a grid competitor starting in the 2026 season. The German luxury automaker first announced its commitment to enter the championship back in August 2022 during a press conference at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. This decision aligned directly with the FIA’s strategic overhaul of power unit regulations, which prioritized sustainable synthetic fuels and expanded electrical propulsion.
By taking control of Sauber Motorsport, Audi secured an established racing foundation in Hinwil, Switzerland. Audi operates as a full factory team rather than just a customer engine supplier. For readers curious about the heritage of Audi’s corporate group and manufacturing footprint beyond motorsport, understanding who makes Audi cars provides helpful context regarding Volkswagen Group’s broader engineering resources.
The journey to the grid involved a multi-year preparation strategy. Between 2022 and 2025, Audi expanded its technical headquarters in Neuburg, Germany, constructed specialized engine test benches, and progressively increased its equity stake in Sauber. The project culminated in Audi’s official race entry at the start of the 2026 championship calendar.
When does Audi join F1?
Audi joins F1 on the track at the 2026 season opener, the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The 2026 championship represents a landmark transition point for Grand Prix racing, making it the ideal entry window for a new manufacturer.
The primary driver for this timing is the introduction of the 2026 FIA Power Unit Regulations. The new rules eliminate the complex MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit – Heat) and increase the electrical power output of the hybrid system to nearly 50% of total engine output (350 kW). Additionally, 2026 mandates the use of 100% sustainable fuels. Because all existing teams had to design brand new power units from scratch for 2026, Audi entered the sport on a relatively level playing field regarding engine architecture.
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Is Audi coming to F1, or already racing?
Audi is actively racing in Formula 1 following years of speculation and background development. For several years after the initial 2022 announcement, fan discussions frequently asked whether Audi was actually coming to F1 or if the project might face delays. Those questions were definitively answered as Audi completed its takeover of Sauber and brought its factory operation to the track for the 2026 championship.
The transition from strategic planning to track operation occurred in clearly defined phases:
- 2022-2023: Initial announcement, power unit facility expansion in Neuburg, and strategic partnership alignment with Sauber.
- 2024-2025: Full buyout of the Sauber Group, appointment of senior management teams, driver signings, and title partner integration.
- 2026 Onward: Active race operations under the Audi Revolut F1 Team banner.
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Does Audi have an F1 team?
Yes, Audi fields a complete factory works team known officially as the Audi Revolut F1 Team. Unlike manufacturers that merely place their logos on third-party engines or sponsor independent entries, Audi owns and operates the entire team infrastructure.
The Audi F1 team relies on a tri-location organizational structure:
- Neuburg an der Donau, Germany: The headquarters of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, where the 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 hybrid power unit and electric motor recovery systems are designed and tested.
- Hinwil, Switzerland: The chassis design and race operation base, utilizing Sauber’s existing wind tunnel, manufacturing shops, and operational staff.
- Bicester, UK: A specialized UK technology hub established to recruit top-tier motorsport talent from the British engineering corridor.
This comprehensive setup ensures full integration between chassis dynamics and engine calibration. Audi’s engineering depth extends across both racing and road cars, where proprietary technologies like what Audi Quattro means showcase how advanced drivetrain engineering enhances vehicle stability. More details on team infrastructure can be verified on the official Audi Formula 1 portal.
Who is Audi replacing in F1? What team is Audi replacing?
Audi replaces Sauber Motorsport on the Formula 1 grid, bringing an end to the independent Sauber name as a standalone entrant. Sauber had been a fixture in Grand Prix racing for over three decades before Audi acquired full ownership of the organization.
Prior to Audi’s takeover, the Hinwil-based team operated under various commercial title partnerships. From 2018 through 2023, the squad raced under Alfa Romeo branding through a commercial sponsorship agreement. For the 2024 and 2025 transition seasons, the team competed as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
When Audi finalized its 100% acquisition of the Sauber Group in early 2024, it paved the way for a total rebranding. The Sauber name was retired from the official constructor list for 2026, replaced entirely by Audi.
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Who did Audi replace in F1?
Looking at the broader historical timeline, Audi replaced the entry slot and team structure previously held by Sauber Motorsport. Sauber originally debuted in Formula 1 in 1993 under founder Peter Sauber. Over its 33-year history in F1, the team underwent several structural transformations:
- 1993-2005: Independent team status using customer engines (including Mercedes, Ford, and Ferrari).
- 2006-2009: Factory team status under BMW ownership (competing as BMW Sauber).
- 2010-2017: Return to independent ownership following BMW’s withdrawal.
- 2018-2023: Commercial partnership with Alfa Romeo.
- 2024-2025: Interim bridge period as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
- 2026: Complete transition into the Audi factory team.
Audi’s acquisition represents only the second time in Sauber’s history that a major German automotive manufacturer has purchased the team outright, following BMW’s four-year ownership stint in the mid-2000s. Modern Audi vehicles feature sophisticated digital security architectures; vehicle owners interested in keyless access details can learn about what the Audi advanced key is and how keyless proximity entry operates.
Is Kick Sauber becoming Audi?
Yes, Kick Sauber has fully become Audi for the 2026 season and beyond. “Kick Sauber” was an interim commercial title utilized during the 2024 and 2025 seasons while Audi completed its back-end infrastructure integration and facility upgrades.
During those transitional years, the team retained green and black liveries with heavy sponsorship branding from streaming platform Kick and betting company Stake. However, behind the scenes, Audi engineers were already working alongside Hinwil personnel to restructure technical departments.
For 2026, all interim commercial titles were phased out. The team was officially renamed Audi Revolut F1 Team following a major title partnership deal with global financial technology company Revolut. The green livery was replaced by Audi’s corporate racing colors featuring silver, black, and red accents.
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Who will drive for Audi F1?
Audi’s confirmed driver lineup for its inaugural 2026 Formula 1 season combines veteran technical experience with young talent:
- Nico Hülkenberg (Car #27): The experienced German driver was signed early in 2024 to assist with vehicle development. Hülkenberg brings over 200 Grand Prix starts and extensive technical feedback capabilities, having previously raced for Williams, Force India, Renault, Racing Point, Aston Martin, and Haas.
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Car #5): The promising Brazilian driver was selected after winning the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship and dominating the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship. Bortoleto represents Audi’s investment in long-term driver talent.
The management structure guiding these drivers underwent significant refinement ahead of the 2026 launch. Former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto was appointed as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer, while former Red Bull Racing Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley assumed the role of Team Principal.
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Audi F1 team timeline 2022-2026
The table below summarizes the key milestones marking Audi’s journey from its initial F1 announcement to its active grid debut:
| Year | Key Milestone |
|---|---|
| August 2022 | Audi officially announces Audi to join Formula 1 from 2026 at the Belgian Grand Prix. |
| October 2022 | Audi selects Sauber Group as its strategic works partner for chassis production. |
| March 2024 | Audi Board approves a 100% full acquisition of Sauber Motorsport. |
| July 2024 | Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley appointed to lead technical and team operations. |
| November 2024 | Gabriel Bortoleto confirmed alongside Nico Hülkenberg to complete the 2026 driver lineup. |
| Late 2025 | Revolut unveiled as title partner; official team name confirmed as Audi Revolut F1 Team. |
| March 2026 | Official F1 race debut at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. |
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Is Audi building its own F1 engine?
Yes, Audi manufactures its own power unit entirely in-house at its Neuburg facility in Germany. The 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 hybrid engine is built to meet the 2026 FIA regulations, featuring equal power split between the internal combustion engine and electric motor recovery systems.
Why did Audi choose 2026 to enter Formula 1?
Audi chose 2026 because the FIA introduced new engine regulations emphasizing sustainable fuels and increased electrification. Entering during a major rule reset allowed Audi to start engine development on equal footing with existing manufacturers who also had to design new power units from scratch.
Is Sauber completely gone from F1?
The Sauber company structure and Hinwil factory continue to operate as the operational chassis arm of the Audi F1 program. However, the Sauber name and branding have been completely removed from the official F1 entrant list, as the team now competes exclusively under the Audi name.
