Audi announced its intentions to step onto the Formula 1 grid years ago, and since then, the legendary manufacturer has gotten to work putting the pieces together to create a team that would race on one of the most prestigious, exclusive, and intense stages in the motorsport world. Finally, the years of anticipation that have been building for Audi’s entry to F1 have come to a head, as Audi officially launched the Audi Revolut F1 Team at an event in Berlin.
The car’s racing debut is set for March 8 in Australia, but the team itself had nearly 400 guests witnessing its first public appearance as the fully formed Audi Revolut F1 team, with the F1 racing car, the new Audi R26, at the center of the spectacle. The car’s power unit was developed in Neuburg an der Donau, and it’s called the AFR 26 Hybrid. Along with the car, the team’s clothing and driver overalls were also unveiled (the drivers are Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg).
Audi’s entry to Formula 1 marks a turning point both for the manufacturer, and for the motorsport. With a cherished legacy in motorsport, Audi is on the cusp of reviving the heritage of legends like Le Mans-winning cars and its revolutionary retro rally machines. Meanwhile, Formula 1 is entering its 77th season, with sweeping changes coming to its technical regulations. These include active aerodynamics with the previous DRS being replaced by a ‘boost mode’ with electric power, and the use of sustainable fuel, for which audi has partnered with bp. The new Audi R26 Formula 1 car, and the team that will drive it towards hopeful victory, have arrived, and they’re ready for one of the most anticipated and shaken-up seasons of Formula 1 racing yet.
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Image Source: Audi
