Audi R26
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Mattia Binotto (Head of F1 Project)
- James Key (Technical Director)
- Stefano Sordo (Performance Director)
- Andrea Ferrarelli (Deputy Head of Vehicle Performance)
- Eric Gandelin (Chief Designer, Chassis)
- Stefano Sangiorgi (Chief Designer, Powertrain Integration)
- Iain Bomphray (Head of Research and Development)
- Alessandro Cinelli (Head of Aerodynamics)
- Kilian Mayr (Head of Aerodynamic Performance)
- Tony Salter (Chief Aerodynamicist)
- Stefan Dreyer (Chief Technical Officer, Power Unit)
 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 | 5,440 mm (214 in) | ||||||||||
| Width | 1,900 mm (75 in) | ||||||||||
| Height | 980 mm (39 in) | ||||||||||
| Wheelbase | 3,400 mm (134 in) | ||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||
| Transmission | In-house Audi 8-speed + 1 reverse titanium gearbox sequential seamless semi-automatic paddle shift. “Quickshift” system in operation to maximize speed of gearshifts with limited-slip differential | ||||||||||
| Battery | Audi lithium-ion battery | ||||||||||
| Weight | 770 kg (1,698 lb) | ||||||||||
| Fuel | BP Ultimate Sustainable 437B | ||||||||||
| Lubricants | Castrol | ||||||||||
| Brakes | Brembo carbon discs with steel calipers and pads | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (Dry) Pirelli Cinturato (Wet) | ||||||||||
| Clutch | ZF electro-hydraulically operated, carbon multi-plate | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Audi Revolut F1 Team | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers | |||||||||||
| Debut | 2026 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last event | 2026 Japanese Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
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 utilise 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 the Renault-powered Alpine A524 in 2024.
Development context
Significant changes to the technical regulations were introduced for 2026, affecting both the chassis and engine.[citation needed]
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]
