German automotive giant Audi has taken another bold step on its journey into the pinnacle of motorsport. On 12 November 2025, Audi revealed the livery concept for its forthcoming Formula 1 Entry – previewing how its 2026 race car will look when it debuts on the grid.
What Was Revealed
The concept car, named the R26 Concept, serves as a visual teaser rather than a full race-car reveal. It previews the colour scheme and graphic design that will adorn Audi’s first full works car in F1.
Key design elements include:
- A colour palette built around titanium/silver, carbon-black, and Audi red.
- The use of geometric graphic surfaces, minimal yet sharp, is aligned with Audi’s new brand design philosophy of clear, technical, intelligent, and emotional.
- Prominent display of the iconic four rings logo, now in red, signalling the performance and racing lineage of the brand.
- A front-half dominated by the titanium hue (inspired by Audi’s future production design language), transitioning into the black and red tones on the rear.
Audi emphasised that while this livery concept is close to the final version, the racecar will still incorporate sponsors’ branding and will adapt to actual bodywork geometry when the full car is revealed in January 2026.
Why It Matters
- Brand identity shift: The reveal isn’t just about a race-car livery. It’s part of Audi’s broader design-language refresh. The F1 project is being positioned as a pioneer for Audi’s new visual identity – tying together motorsport, production models, and the brand’s future direction.
- Iconic colour heritage: The titanium and silver hark back to the classic German motor-racing “silver arrows” era, while the black carbon-fibre and red accents reflect modern performance cues and Audi’s own motorsport DNA.
- F1 entry significance: Audi’s full entry into F1’s 2026 season — after acquiring Sauber Motorsport AG — places the team in a new era of regulation and competition. This livery marks that transformation visually.
- New regulations / new baseline: The 2026 F1 season will bring major technical changes (power unit, aero, etc.). For Audi, it’s a chance to start fresh, and this livery acts as a banner for that start.
Some Standout Visual Features
- The “silver front” portion gives immediate recognition and connectivity to Audi’s heritage and upcoming production colour schemes.
- Black surfaces (carbon-look) signal high performance and modern F1 styling, while also hinting at the exposed technical nature of an F1 car.
- The red elements, including the rings, side-pod accents, and wheel-arch trims, give a bold flash of contrast and brand identity.
- Throughout, the forms are clean but sharp: the graphic transitions are designed to follow the car’s architecture rather than just wrap ornamental colours around it. Audi says the surfaces “integrate seamlessly with the racing car’s geometry”.
Audi’s Ambition and Timeline
Audi’s entry into F1 isn’t merely participation. CEO Gernot Döllner stated: “We are not entering Formula 1 just to be there. We want to win.” He added that the team’s goal is to fight for the World Championship by 2030.
The reveal of the livery comes ahead of the car’s actual on-track debut, with the full car set to be unveiled in January 2026 and the first race of the season in March.
What To Watch From Here
- The full race-car reveal in January 2026, including sponsor livery, aero package, and technical details.
- How the livery adapts once the actual chassis geometry, wings, inlet, and technical appendages are finalized (there can often be significant tweaks from concept to final car).
- How the visual brand identity carries over into the team’s helmet designs, team apparel (including the partnership with Adidas), hospitality, and fan-engagement materials.
- On track, how the design stands out among the competition: Audi’s stated aim is to be “the most striking car on the race track”.
Summary
The livery concept for Audi’s F1 entry is more than just paint. It’s a statement of identity, ambition, and heritage: titanium silver representing legacy and future, carbon black highlighting performance and technology, and Audi red signalling brand presence and passion. For fans and competitors alike, it signals that Audi means business in the 2026 F1 season and beyond.