Audi clarifies that the F1 concept car is not the competitor for 2026.

      "The basic geometry of the individual legality boxes is accurate."

      Audi has sought to clarify any misunderstandings regarding the show car unveiled in Munich last week, as some observers speculated that the striking vehicle hinted at the final 2026 contender. According to Auto Motor und Sport, the displayed model was created based on the nearly finalized version of the FIA's 2026 technical regulations, known as the 'Fangio V13'. Audi F1 project leader Mattia Binotto cautioned against confusing it with the actual R26. "The basic geometry of the individual legality boxes is accurate, but our 2026 car will be markedly different from what was showcased," he stated. However, while the bodywork design was not indicative of the final product, the color scheme was. AMuS reports that the titanium-silver nose, the vibrant neon "Audi Red" rear section, and the visible black carbon are genuine features of the brand’s future identity. Audi CEO Gernot Dollner, who took over the F1 initiative from his predecessors, mentioned that he has fully committed to the project. "I hope I’ll be able to attend the Melbourne race next year," he remarked. Binotto also indicated that forming any competitive predictions is unfeasible. "Typically, your objectives are based on the prior year's car, but that's not applicable this time," he clarified. "We only hear speculation about the horsepower figures of the combustion engines from competitors, but we do not know how reliable those are. There are also claims that some cars are already four to six seconds faster than the current FIA Fangio V12 model. That information is all quite uncertain," he added. Team principal Jonathan Wheatley, a former long-time colleague of Max Verstappen at Red Bull, confided to De Telegraaf that he dreams of one day signing the four-time world champion. "Naturally, I want Max in our car. What kind of team principal would I be if I didn’t?" he inquired. "I've known Max, Jos, and Raymond for many years, but friendship alone isn’t enough to secure him in an Audi seat right now." F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed enthusiasm about the progress of both Audi and fellow new manufacturer Cadillac. "Next year, we will have more manufacturers in Formula 1 than ever before," he stated. "And this is amidst turbulent times for the automotive industry. There are many valid reasons not to move forward, but we provide car companies with a relevant product and fans with an appealing package. That’s our formula for success."

      Audi F1