Overview
- A Berlin launch revealed the silver, black and Lava Red livery on a show car after early images leaked online, while the operational R26 remains under wraps.
- Audi enters as a full works team with an in‑house power unit from Neuburg, a chassis operation in Hinwil and additional engineering capacity in Bicester.
- Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto continue as drivers under project head Mattia Binotto and team principal Jonathan Wheatley.
- After a private filming day at Barcelona on January 9, the team heads to a closed shakedown at the circuit on January 26–30, followed by Bahrain tests on February 11–13 and 18–20 before the March 6–8 Melbourne opener.
- Leaders launched “Mission 2030” to fight for titles by 2030 and cautioned that 2026 will be a learning year under new regulations, with mileage and PU data the immediate focus.