Audi, who will officially launch their 2026 car in Berlin this evening enters F1 as a full works team, taking complete control of the Sauber operation while developing its own power unit in Neuburg, Germany.

It is not a marketing exercise or a rebadged partnership. The company is committed to competing in F1 and will be building the team’s chassis, engine, infrastructure, and providing long-term investment. Sauber’s Swiss base in Hinwil has already undergone major upgrades, including a new wind tunnel and expanded manufacturing facilities, laying the groundwork for Audi’s ambitions.

The timing of Audi’s arrival is no coincidence. Formula 1’s new regulations for 2026 will reshape the sport’s technical landscape, with power units, or engines in simple terms, split 50/50 between traditional internal combustion and electrical energy. The cars will also run on fully sustainable fuels. These changes mirror Audi’s road-car philosophy and its motorsport DNA, built on efficiency, energy recovery, and systems integration. This is where Audi’s strengths lie, not just in horsepower, but in how performance is delivered.

For Saudi fans, the race in Jeddah (April 17-19) provides the perfect stage for Audi’s debut era. The fastest street circuit in the world, the track rewards aerodynamic efficiency, precision, and confidence at high speed. These qualities defined Audi’s dominance at Le Mans and across its endurance racing programme.

The team will be led by Mattia Binotto, who is Head of the Audi F1 Project and well known to F1 fans having worked for Ferrari for 27 years. Jonathan Wheatley is the Team Principal, who joined from Red Bull Racing last season, while the drivers will be experienced racers, Nico Hülkenberg, and Gabriel Bortoleto, a former F3 and F2 champion.

Beyond the track, Audi’s arrival aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 programme and epitomises innovation, sustainability, and global engagement. Audi’s focus on hybrid technology and sustainable fuels fits seamlessly into this narrative, reinforcing why the Kingdom has become such a vital part of F1’s future.

Audi may be new to Formula 1, but it is no stranger to winning at the highest level across different motorsport categories. For Saudi fans, its arrival is more than a new team name but the chance to see the arrival of a 110-year-old, pioneering car manufacture compete in the pinnacle of motorsport at one of the most exciting tracks on the calendar.

2026: New Cars, New Teams, New Champion

The 2026 season promises to be a landmark year for Formula 1, with the introduction of all-new cars designed to deliver closer, more unpredictable racing. The grid will also expand with Cadillac joining as an 11th team, while Audi makes its long-awaited debut. Jeddah will welcome a new reigning World Champion for the first time since 2021, as McLaren’s Lando Norris arrives to defend his title against four-time champion Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri. F1 Academy will also return, continuing to showcase the next generation of female racing talent.

Off track, fans can once again expect a world-class live music programme. Following performances in recent years from global artists including Justin Bieber, Travis Scott, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez and Usher, the 2026 Grand Prix will deliver another international entertainment lineup, further cementing Jeddah’s status as a leading destination for sport and entertainment.