Audi Revolut F1 Team Debut Their Stunning Livery

F1 newcomers Audi have just revealed their livery for the upcoming season - and they are certainly looking to make an impression! But what awaits them as they prepare for their debut in March?

(Image credit to: Audi)

As night fell upon Kraftwerk, Berlin, Audi revealed their first-ever Formula 1 car. This launch has been a long time coming, given that notice of their rebranding from Kick Sauber was announced all the way back in 2022. But the team didn’t just rebrand, they also took over the manufacturing of their own engine - this is where they stand out. While most teams take their engines from Mercedes, and new entrant Cadillac joins Haas whose engines are provided by Ferrari, Audi takes a different approach. They enter the frame under a brand new system with engine and chassis regulations, so their car, while new, could have a fighting chance against the top teams.

Today, Audi CEO Gernot Dollner, Head of Audi F1 project Mattia Binotto, Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley and the team’s drivers Niko Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto were in attendance to bear witness to the launch. Much to fans’ delight, Bortoleto and Hulkenberg - who became known for their on-track feats and off-track banter - will be teammates once again with Audi. 

With the team working hard to prepare as early as 2024, there has been a lot of time for them to get ready for their debut in the 2026 Formula 1 season. In terms of how things have been going behind the scenes, Audi Chief Mattia Binotto spoke about his experience with the team;

“So far it has been smooth. Why it has been smooth? I think it's because of the commitment of Audi.

“Audi has been really very supportive since day one, day zero, really being fully committed to our project, in love with the project, I would say.

“Once you know that you've got the full support of the brand, you've got the full support of the board and they give you the means which are required to deploy the plan, that's the most important at the end.

“And then deploying a plan, it's always, you may have good days or bad days. This is part of the job. But overall, I think so far, great.”

As Audi’s launch drew nearer, pressure built and expectation grew - and the team rose to the challenge. The livery presented had its concept design teased back in November. The car features a shiny, sleek silver colour for its base, with black and red accents for the sponsors and the engine in black. They have also announced their main sponsor as Revolut, whose name is printed on the very front of the car. 

Since the launch, fans have weighed in, with many expressing their view that the launch was “underwhelming,” given that the design is simple, and, “very German.”

(Image Credit to: Audi)

Audi comes in with a bold and ambitious stance, boldly declaring that, “Our goal is to win championships by 2030. We have a structured plan for a deliberate ascent.”

With new regulations being put into place this year, Audi’s brand new entry and their lofty goals are indeed optimistic. They are entering a grid where competition is tight, fighting with top teams, including McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes, not to mention Ferrari. In the short term, at least, this achievement appears unlikely. However, with the drama and spectacle of the 2025 season still lingering in the back of our minds, it is clear that in Formula 1, anything can happen. 

Team Principle Jonathan Wheatley spoke to motorsport.com about what he thought of Audi’s claims:

“You have to be realistic about where you're starting from, and you also have to be humble about the challenge that's ahead of you. 

“You don't beat teams like Ferrari and Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren. You don't just turn up and beat them because you're Audi Formula 1. That's not how it works.

"You need a plan. Our plan is to be a challenger and then a competitor and then a champion. It's important as a journey, and that people understand that journey.”

Considering Audi’s position in the long term, however, James Key, speaking to motorsport.com. has taken a more optimistic approach:

“Seeing the ambition behind the team and the plan ahead, I like to think it is absolutely possible.

“We're giving ourselves some time because we're realistic. We know that we haven't got everything in place, and we need to be absolutely on top immediately.  

“But we also recognise that every single team is a competitor to Audi. It's not the so-called midfield anymore.

“So we have to be there. And obviously we're looking at what steps we need to make to give ourselves the best opportunity of hitting that. So it's a very clear ambition, not just from us, but from the whole operation.”

Niko Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto were announced as Audi’s drivers for 2026 following their racing careers at Sauber. The veteran and the almost rookie duo will continue to race alongside one another. Speaking to Sky Sports, the pair shared the same passion for the success of their team, reflecting back on their journeys up until this point. Hulkenbeg said;

“I committed to this project in May 2024, so the anticipation for this day and for it to become reality, just very happy it's all happening now and it's starting. The car is a beauty, so we're ready to go.”

Bortoleto added;

“For me it's a dream coming true. It's the type of project you have once in a lifetime. It's also the opportunity to create a legacy that will last in history."

As excitement starts to peak before the start of the 2026 season, testing events will start to take place. Private testing will commence later in the month whilst Bahrain will play host to public testing from February 11-13th and 18-20th. 

But what will become of Audi in a season where everyone starts fresh and anything can happen? That remains to be seen. 

Article written by Naeemah Pathan