The Audi Revolut F1 Team has completed the first integrated fire-up of its 2026 Formula 1 car and power unit, hailing the step as the next milestone in a project the manufacturer views as central to its wider brand renewal.
While the fire-up marks a routine stage in the technical programme ahead of Audi’s debut season, the company has consistently positioned its F1 entry as a long-term strategic investment rather than a standalone motorsport exercise.
The 2026 project sits alongside broader efforts to modernise Audi’s brand, technology message and organisational approach on a global stage.
Audi confirmed its intention to enter F1 as a full works team in 2022, subsequently taking control of the Sauber operation ahead of the new regulatory cycle.
Since then, the programme has been built across multiple sites, with chassis development centred in Hinwil, power unit work in Neuburg and additional technical operations in the UK, reflecting the scale and permanence of the commitment.
That positioning was reinforced by Audi Chief Executive Officer Gernot Dollner, who described the Formula 1 programme as a catalyst for change across the company.
“For Audi, entering Formula 1 is a key part of our brand’s ongoing renewal,” he said.
This project is a catalyst for change, fostering pride, identity and enthusiasm.
Gernot Dollner
“This milestone is a clear demonstration of our ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ ambition. It is the result of seamless teamwork and a relentless pursuit of excellence that will serve as a guiding example for the entire Audi organisation.
“This project is a catalyst for change, fostering pride, identity and enthusiasm. With the fire-up, the hard work of the teams in Hinwil, Neuburg and Bicester now truly comes to life, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Audi’s motorsport history.”
The fire-up follows Audi’s recent confirmation of its official team name as the Audi Revolut F1 Team, alongside the announcement of a global launch event in Berlin on January 20.
Together, the technical milestone and the formalisation of the team’s name and debut plans underline how Audi is using its F1 entry to support broader brand and business objectives as it prepares for its first season on the grid.
