Audi R26
Audi's first Formula One car, built in Hinwil on the foundations of Sauber and powered by Audi's own V6 hybrid.
About the Audi R26
The R26 is the first Formula One car built by Audi after its takeover of Sauber, and the first Hinwil-built car without Ferrari power since the BMW Sauber F1.09 of 2009. It was first fired up at Hinwil on 19 December 2025, shaken down at Barcelona on 9 January 2026 and launched at the Kraftwerk in Berlin on 20 January. It uses Audi's own AFR 26 Hybrid power unit and an in-house titanium gearbox, and is driven by Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, both in their second season with the team. After the Mexico City Grand Prix, Audi was eighth in the Constructors' Championship with 27 points.
Audi R26 specs
| Make | Audi |
|---|---|
| Model | R26 |
| Years | 2026 |
| Type | Race car |
| Body style | Open-wheel single-seater |
| Country | Germany |
| Engine | 1.6L turbocharged V6 hybrid (Audi AFR 26 Hybrid) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,600 cc (1.6 litres) |
| Induction | Turbocharged |
| Redline | 15,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed seamless sequential semi-automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 770 kg (1,698 lb) |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
Audi R26 rarity in CarSpot
The Audi R26 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 0 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Audi R26 fun facts
- It is the first Hinwil-built car to use Castrol-branded lubricants since the Ford-powered Sauber C14 of 1995.
- Its gearbox uses a 'Quickshift' system designed to make gear changes as fast as possible.