F1 2026 – a first look
Audi’s unveiling of its R26 gave us our first glimpse of what next year’s Formula 1 cars will look like. Officially only a concept, it nonetheless offers some hints of how teams will interpret the 2026 regulations, as Marcus Simmons reveals
Narrower tyres
Those big fat slicks of old seem a long time ago now… The wheels remain at 18in, but the width of the front tyres has been reduced by 25mm and the rears by 30mm. This comes with an estimated weight saving of 5kg.
Software and modelling
Ahead of its change of identity to Audi, Sauber opened its new Technology Centre at Bicester Motion in the heart of the UK’s Motorsport Valley in July, to provide support to HQ in Hinwil. Vehicle modelling, software, data analytics and CFD all come under the remit here. “The support it will play to Hinwil will be important to our long-term success,” predicted Audi F1 project chief Mattia Binotto.
Who’s driving?
It may be a new name in the form of Audi, but there’s been no reason to change the line-up. The hugely experienced Nico Hülkenberg remains on board – and his German nationality doesn’t do any harm – while impressive 2025 Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto occupies the other seat.
Concept
Audi is not pretending that this is the real R26; it has been dubbed the ‘R26 Concept’. But it gives a taster in traditional Audi livery. “It’s about releasing something unique,” explains team principal Jonathan Wheatley. “If you look at an F1 car in five years, you’ll say that’s an Audi. In 10 years’ time, you’ll say that’s an Audi. It’s about setting a design ethos that will just carry through.”
Engine
Audi is making much of the fact that its 1.6-litre, V6 engine is the first F1 powertrain to be developed and built in Germany in over a decade (Mercedes’ is produced by its facility in Brixworth). With an almost 300% increase in electric power for 2026, to equal the output of the internal combustion engine, it is hoping that its Neuburg engineers’ experience from Formula E, LMP1 and the electric Dakar Rally project will come in handy.
Chassis
Initially under the name Sauber, the team has been producing F1 cars from its facility in Hinwil, Switzerland since 1993. For 2026, the regulations have prescribed a reduction in length of 20cm to 3.4m, and width of 10cm to 1.9m. Combined with the smaller tyres, this brings a decrease in overall weight of 30kg to 768kg. It’s not massive, but a step in the right direction for those who argue that the cars have become too bloated.
Rear wing: no DRS
The old Drag Reduction System makes way for active aerodynamics to be deployed in what has been termed Z-mode and X-mode, both activated by the driver. Z-mode increases cornering speed by angling the elements on front and rear wings; X-mode is low-drag to boost straight-line speed – a kind of DRS Version 2.0. This combines with an increase in electric power for chasing cars to help boost overtaking.