Audi announce official team name and global launch date for 2026 challenger

Audi have revealed their official team name, logo and date for a spectacular immersive launch intended to show the world their 2026 livery as they prepare to take over Kick Sauber's spot on the grid.

The German automative powerhouse, who declared their intention to join F1 back in 2022, have worked alongside Sauber to gradually improve their facilities and ensure they are in the mix from the get-go at the upcoming 2026 season opener in Australia.

Having enhanced their bases across Germany, Switzerland and the UK, they have now announced that their full team name will be the Audi Revolut F1 Team – the title partnership with the financial technology company was previously confirmed in July of this year.

The team's press release outlines how Revolut "shares the ambition for innovation, performance, and connecting with a diverse, international audience" and adds that their collaboration will create "a powerful alliance aimed at challenging conventions and shaping new forms of fan engagement", including app-based benefits for Revolut users.

They will also work together on activations and race access for fans, as well as integrating Revolut Pay into Audi's online store and using the fintech giant's business expertise in its financial operations, which are crucial under the strict budget cap.

Audi are aiming for consistency with their key figures, with Jonathan Wheatley set to continue in his role as Team Principal while Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto form their line-up. Mattia Binotto, who previously worked for Ferrari, holds the role of Head of the Audi F1 project.

Wheatley said: “Today, our project takes on its official identity. The Audi Revolut F1 Team name is a symbol of the combined strength of our teams in Germany, UK and Switzerland, together with our partners.

"It provides a banner under which we all unite as we build towards 2026. This is a crucial milestone that energises the entire project and makes our long-term ambition tangible for everyone involved.”

Another element of the announcement is the official launch in Berlin, which will take place on January 20 2026 and showcase the brand's core pillars of "clarity, technical intelligence, and emotion" in an immersive and exclusive event.

They will present their full race livery before holding a public opening on the following day, allowing fans to experience the unique occasion after they revealed an early concept livery in November, featuring titanium, carbon black and Audi red as the predominant colours.

Binotto added that the launch "will be the first moment we stand together as a collective and invite our global fan base to join us" as the team takes shape, "driven by a culture of precision and relentless ambition".

Although the team is undergoing a comprehensive rebrand to foreground the Audi identity, they will honour the legacy of Peter Sauber by keeping the name of Sauber Holding AG and Sauber Technologies AG. Other parts of the business, including the Technology Centre in Bicester, will be renamed to include Audi Motorsport.

Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG, said: “Unveiling the Audi Revolut F1 Team name and logo marks another major milestone on our journey into the pinnacle of motorsport. Both give our ambition a clear identity, reflecting a strong vision and innovative spirit. We now look ahead to Berlin in January, where we will officially present this exciting new chapter for the Audi brand to the world.”