Audi makes Formula 1 debut at Australian Grand Prix
Audi officially entered Formula 1 at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, unveiling the hybrid Audi RS 5 and opening a floating team hub.
nearly 50%
over 100 years
2030
What Happened
Audi made its Formula 1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix on March 8, 2026. The team, Audi Revolut F1 Team, unveiled the new Audi RS 5 at Albert Park Circuit. The RS 5 is the first RS model with a hybrid drive, paralleling the hybrid technology in Formula 1 cars, which are almost 50% electric.
“The start of our first Formula 1 season marks the beginning of a new chapter for Audi – both on and off the track.”
A floating venue called AFLOAT on the Yarra River serves as the team's public headquarters, featuring the crocodile-themed Audi R8 race car. The team also hosted local stars and supported the 'Girls on Track' initiative ahead of International Women's Day.
Why this matters
Audi's Formula 1 debut underscores its commitment to hybrid technology and its ambition to compete for world championships by 2030, building on over a century of motorsport success.
Terms in This Story
- Hybrid drive
- A powertrain combining an internal combustion engine with an electric motor.
- Grand Prix
- A series of races in Formula 1, each held in a different country.
- Pit lane
- The area where race cars stop for refueling, tire changes, and repairs during a race.
- Mission Control
- A remote operations center where engineers monitor and analyze race data in real time.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.