Source: REUTERS/Michaela Stache
[Saba Sports News] The Audi F1 team officially unveiled its first F1 concept car – the R26 Concept, marking the beginning of a new journey for the 2026 season. Audi stated that this concept car is the first major expression of the brand’s new visual identity language, embodying a simple yet forward-looking design philosophy. At the launch event, Audi F1 Team CEO Gernot Dollner clearly stated the goal of challenging for the F1 World Championship before 2030. Dollner said that entering F1 is a crucial step in the Audi team’s transformation process. “We are not here to make up the numbers; we are here to win races.” It is reported that Audi decided to fully join F1 as both a chassis and power unit manufacturer due to the 2026 regulation changes. At that time, the Sauber F1 Team will be renamed the Audi F1 Team. The team will establish three bases: Hinwil, Switzerland, will continue to be responsible for chassis design and race operations; Neuburg, Germany, will handle power unit development; and Bicester, UK, will host a technical office. With the exception of Scuderia Ferrari, almost all F1 teams for the 2026 season will have a base in the UK. In the editor’s view, the launch of the Audi R26 concept car has further heightened external expectations for this new factory team.