The Audi Revolut F1 Team revealed its first-ever Formula 1 car in Berlin on Tuesday night, but it was just as much of a chance to praise its partnership team as the technical minds behind the R26.
Inside Kraftwerk Berlin, the German manufacturer and its partners turned the team’s global debut into a multi-brand activation experience, positioning Audi’s 2026 entry not simply as another new works programme, but as a fully integrated commercial ecosystem built for F1’s next era.
At the heart of that platform sits Revolut. The fintech giant’s role as title partner was given centre stage throughout the launch, with its branding prominent on the R26 livery and its product ecosystem woven directly into the team’s fan engagement, retail and commerce strategy from day one.
For Revolut, the partnership is being positioned as a natural alignment between two brands that see themselves as challengers to established giants.
“The launch of Audi Revolut F1 Team is a landmark moment ahead of a season of change that promises to be huge for the sport,” said Antoine Le Nel, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer at Revolut.
“Today’s livery reveal is a clear physical representation of Revolut’s perfect brand fit with the team. A decade ago, Revolut was the new player with big ambition to challenge established giants.
“Having just surpassed 70 million customers globally, we’re excited to go on this journey with the team and bring our momentum to the grid.
Today’s livery reveal is a clear physical representation of Revolut’s perfect brand fit with the team.
Antoine Le Nel
“Fans can expect Revolut to bring its DNA of doing things differently to the sport and, behind the scenes, we’ll be extensively integrated into the team’s financial operations.”
That positioning underlines how Audi’s F1 entry is being constructed around more than performance ambition alone.
The launch was also the first time Audi has brought its full partner ecosystem together in a single physical space.
Kraftwerk was transformed into what the team described as a “multi-brand powerhouse”, giving guests the chance to interact not only with the R26 and the team’s leadership, but also with the brands that will underpin Audi’s F1 operation on and off track.
Revolut used the event to offer fans the opportunity to design their own cards on site, a move that reflects the deeper integration being built between the fintech platform and the team’s fan engagement strategy.
Alongside the car reveal, Audi also showed off its bespoke race and team clothing range co-developed with adidas.
The new kit extends Audi’s design philosophy from the chassis to the crew, reflecting the same principles of technical clarity, precision and performance, while ensuring a unified visual identity across the paddock.
The collection will launch globally on 19 February alongside the debut of the team’s e-commerce platform, with checkout powered by Revolut Pay.
The range will also be available via adidas’ official online store and selected global retailers, with limited-edition seasonal drops planned throughout the year.
From Audi’s perspective, the Formula 1 project is being positioned as far more than a marketing exercise.
Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi Motorsport AG, used the Berlin launch to frame F1 as a strategic lever for the entire company.
“Today marks more than a launch; it marks the public declaration of a new era for Audi,” he said.
“Formula 1 is the most demanding stage in the world of motorsport, and we are here not just to compete, but to define the future of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’.
This project is a catalyst for our entire company, a symbol of our transformation towards a more performance-driven, efficient, and innovative culture.”
The Berlin launch was ultimately less about unveiling a racing car and more about introducing a new commercial entity to the global market.
The R26 livery, with its Titanium finish, exposed carbon fibre and Lava Red accents, was presented as the visual expression of Audi’s new design philosophy.
But it was the partner integration, the retail strategy, the fintech platform and the immersive brand environment that told the deeper story.
For Audi and its partners F1 is not simply the world’s most demanding motorsport championship, it is a global business platform.
