Formula 1 Team Profile

Audi Revolut.

Formula 1’s newest works manufacturer — eleven races old, and the only entrant building both its own chassis and its own engine from scratch for 2026.

Audi did not start a team. It bought one: the Hinwil operation that has raced continuously since 1993 under five different names. This page covers Audi’s own record, which begins in 2026.

Chassis
Hinwil, Switzerland
Power unit
Neuburg an der Donau, Germany
Technology centre
Bicester, England
First entry
2026 Australian GP
Team principal
Mattia Binotto
Read the full history
11
Races Entered
First season, 2026
0
Podium Finishes
0
Grand Prix Wins
0
Pole Positions
Overview

What Is the Audi F1 Team?

Audi Revolut is the Audi works Formula 1 team, competing since the 2026 Australian Grand Prix. It is one of only two manufacturers on the grid building both its own chassis and its own power unit, the chassis at Hinwil in Switzerland and the engine at Neuburg an der Donau in Bavaria.

Audi entered by acquisition rather than by starting from nothing. It announced its Formula 1 plans in August 2022 and confirmed a partnership with Sauber Motorsport that October, taking the Hinwil team that had raced in Formula 1 since 1993 — as Sauber, as BMW Sauber between 2006 and 2009, as Alfa Romeo Racing from 2019, and as Kick Sauber until 2025. The rebrand to Audi was completed in December 2025.

Audi has said the 2026 chassis and power-unit regulations were the reason for the timing, and has set out a five-year plan aimed at challenging for championships by 2030. Mattia Binotto, formerly Ferrari’s team principal, is chief executive and team principal; Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto are the drivers.

Era 01 · 1993—2025

The Hinwil Team Before Audi

The factory Audi races from is not new. Peter Sauber's team entered Formula 1 in 1993 and never left, racing as Sauber, then as BMW Sauber from 2006 to 2009, as Alfa Romeo Racing from 2019, and as Kick Sauber until 2025.

Those decades are the Hinwil team's record, not Audi's, and this page does not claim them. They are why Audi's first season began with an experienced organisation rather than an empty building.

Audi historical background showing JJ Lehto driving the Sauber C12 during practice for the 1993 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Hinwil · five names before this one
Era 02 · 2022—2025

Building the Entry

Audi announced its Formula 1 programme in August 2022 and confirmed the Sauber partnership that October, naming the 2026 regulations as the reason for the timing. A power-unit facility was built at Neuburg an der Donau, and the Qatar Investment Authority took a minority stake in November 2024.

The rebrand was completed in December 2025, and Mattia Binotto arrived from Ferrari to run the operation.

Audi F1 project preparation featuring Nico Hulkenberg driving for Kick Sauber during practice at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix. Neuburg · an engine factory from nothing
Era 03 · 2026—Present

The First Season

Audi's first Grand Prix was in Australia in March 2026, with the R26 and the Audi AFR 26 Hybrid power unit — the only all-new manufacturer package on the grid.

Eleven races in, there are no podiums and no poles. Audi has been open that this is the start of a five-year plan, not the end of one.

Audi F1 team's debut season featuring Nico Hulkenberg driving the R26 race car at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix. Melbourne 2026 · the first race
Team Timeline

Audi's Route to Formula 1

1993

Sauber Enters Formula 1

Peter Sauber's Hinwil team makes its Formula 1 debut — the operation Audi would eventually buy.

2022

Audi Announces Its Entry

In August, Audi confirms it will join Formula 1 for 2026, citing the new chassis and power-unit rules.

2022

The Sauber Partnership

In October, Audi confirms it will work with Sauber Motorsport and take over the Hinwil team.

2024

Qatar Investment Authority

The QIA buys a minority stake in November.

2025

Rebrand to Audi

The team is renamed Audi Revolut F1 Team in December, ending the Kick Sauber era.

2026

First Grand Prix

Audi's works entry debuts at the Australian Grand Prix with the R26 and its own power unit.

Sources

  1. Audi team profile · Formula1.com (official)
  2. Audi in Formula One · Wikipedia — figures read from the infobox, takeover dates
  3. For Audi, entering Formula 1 is part of something bigger · Audi (official press release) — November 2025, source of the quote
  4. Photo — Nico Hülkenberg, Audi, 2026 Austrian Grand Prix · Lukas Raich via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped and resized
  5. Photo — Sauber C12, 1993 British Grand Prix · Martin Lee from London, UK via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 · cropped and resized
  6. Photo — Kick Sauber, 2025 Japanese Grand Prix · Liauzh via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped and resized
  7. Logo — Audi logo · Strichpunkt / KMS Team, via Wikimedia Commons via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · rendered from SVG and resized
The First Audi Drivers
NH
Nico Hülkenberg
2026 · number 27
GB
Gabriel Bortoleto
2026 · number 5
From the CEO
“Our entry into Formula 1 is part of something bigger. It's the next step in the company's renewal.”
Gernot Döllner, Audi CEO, November 2025
Frequently Asked

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Audi enter Formula 1?
At the 2026 Australian Grand Prix. Audi announced the programme in August 2022 and confirmed its takeover of Sauber Motorsport that October.
What team did Audi buy?
Sauber Motorsport, based at Hinwil in Switzerland, which had raced in Formula 1 since 1993 — as Sauber, BMW Sauber, Alfa Romeo Racing and finally Kick Sauber.
Does Audi build its own engine?
Yes. The power unit is built at Neuburg an der Donau in Bavaria by Audi Formula Racing GmbH, making Audi one of the few teams building both chassis and engine.
Who drives for Audi?
Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, who both carried over from the team's final season as Kick Sauber.
Who runs the Audi F1 team?
Mattia Binotto, formerly Ferrari's team principal, as chief executive and team principal, with Allan McNish as racing director.
Has Audi won a race?
No. Audi has no wins, podiums or pole positions in its first eleven Grands Prix, and has publicly framed 2026 as the first year of a five-year plan.
Why did Audi choose 2026?
Audi cited the new chassis and power-unit regulations introduced that year, which gave a new manufacturer a chance to start level with the rest.
The Collection

Shop Audi

No products are assigned to Audi yet. Add products to this team in the product editor.

Keep Exploring

More Team Histories

MCL McLaren SCJ Silk Cut Jaguar BEN Bentley Motors TGR Toyota Gazoo Racing YAM Yamaha Factory Racing
0 View cart