Audi has officially unveiled the livery that will represent the brand during its long-awaited Formula 1 debut in the 2026 season.
The German manufacturer revealed the design at a launch event held in Berlin on Tuesday, January 20. The show car featured Audi’s final colour scheme, combining titanium grey with bold red and black accents.
Despite the reveal, Audi chose not to display its actual 2026 race car, known internally as the R26. The challenger recently completed a private shakedown in Barcelona but remains under wraps. The team plans to keep the car hidden until next week’s closed-door pre-season testing at the same circuit.
Audi have unveiled their livery for the 2026 F1 season 🍿 pic.twitter.com/xHXHWFoMnz
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) January 20, 2026Audi’s entry into Formula 1 forms part of its ambitious “Mission 2030,” a long-term strategy aimed at competing for world championships by the end of the decade. Team officials said the project follows a structured and phased approach rather than seeking instant success.
The challenge ahead is significant. Audi will enter a grid dominated by established powerhouses such as Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren.
Audi will be entering Formula 1 in 2026 for the first time since the Auto Union cars raced Grand Prix in the 1930s. The company is developing its own engine and motor, and the car's livery melds the titanium silver of the recent Concept C with a new Audi Lava Red paint color and… pic.twitter.com/hT8cxoPx9X
— Car and Driver (@CARandDRIVER) November 12, 2025Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley acknowledged the scale of the task, stressing that reputation alone will not deliver victories. He said the team’s plan focuses on steady progression, moving from challenger to contender before targeting championship success.
With its livery now confirmed and testing imminent, Audi’s countdown to its Formula 1 debut has officially begun.
