Audi is set to make its debut at the pinnacle of motorsport in Australia on March 8. The Audi R26 is powered by a drivetrain (‘power unit’) developed at the Neuburg an der Donau facility and labelled AFR 26 Hybrid. It was fired up in the chassis for the first time shortly before Christmas at the Hinwil site. On January 9, the team completed its first rollout at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain as part of a filming day.
Formula 1 is undergoing the biggest upheaval in its history: the racing series will enter its 77th season in 2026 with largely new technical regulations. The new race cars feature active aerodynamics with front and rear wings that can be adjusted while driving. The previous Drag Reduction System (DRS) will be replaced by a ‘boost mode,’ which delivers maximum additional electric power at the push of a button. This can be used for overtaking or defending. With up to 350 kW, the electric motor has almost as much power as the approximately 400 kW 1.6-liter V6 turbo engine, which runs on sustainable fuel. Audi is working exclusively with the British company bp in this area.
