F1: 5 Things We Learned from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Current Sauber drivers, German Nico Hulkenberg and young Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, will remain as the team’s driver lineup.

Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley lead an experienced managerial setup

Fighting for a World title by 2030

The launch was also an opportunity for the team to state their aspirations for the next few years. And the message is clear: Audi wants to be competitive and will be challenging.

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said, “We are not entering Formula 1 just to be there. We want to win. At the same time, we know that you don’t become a top team in Formula 1 overnight. It takes time, perseverance and tireless questioning of the status quo. By 2030, we want to fight for the World Championship title.”

The carmaker has a storied history in motorsport. The Audi Quattro won two World Rally Championships in 1982 and 1984. In circuit racing, Audi has won two World Endurance Championships and won the coveted 24 Hours of Le Mans 13 times.

4 – Antonelli claims best finish in F1 yet

The Italian rookie started on the front row and looked rapid all weekend. Two second-place finishes at Interlagos saw the 19-year-old grab 25 points. He showed a cool head to finish second in the GP, fending off a late challenge from Verstappen in the closing stages. “It was definitely the most complete weekend of the season so far,” he said.

R26 Concept

In terms of the R26 Concept, Audi says their new car features minimalist graphic surfaces, defined by precise geometric cuts, that integrate seamlessly with the racing car’s geometry.

The colour palette features titanium, carbon black, and the newly introduced Audi red. Red will be used by the brand in F1 as part of this identity, with the car sporting red rings, used selectively to underscore its F1 presence.

The team will be part of a new set of regulations set to be introduced in 2026 and will have had time to develop and work on next year’s car.

The R26 Concept will be officially launched in January 2026, with testing taking place in Spain and Bahrain before the first Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia, on the weekend of March 6-8.

F1 is more than just motorsport

Audi’s move in F1 also needs to make financial sense, and the company is in desperate need to prop up failing sales, particularly in the United States and China.

Jürgen Rittersberger, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, said: “Formula 1 is more than just motorsport.”

“It’s entertainment, emotion, technology – and also a challenge. Thanks to the cost cap, Formula 1 is also more financially sustainable than ever before. When we look at the development of sponsorship opportunities, team evaluations, and the overall revenue potential in Formula 1, one thing becomes clear: This path makes perfect sense for Audi – also economically.”