Bortoleto Unveils First 2026 F1 Helmet Design for Audi

Gabriel Bortoleto, the Brazilian who will drive for Audi in 2026, is the first F1 driver to reveal his helmet for next season. The design wraps the shell in Brazil’s green‑and‑gold flag, making the national colors impossible to miss. A short clip posted by Bortoleto reads “Locked in, ready to race,” and teases the RS26 launch on Jan 20 in Berlin.

Why it matters:

Revealing a helmet early gives both driver and team a visual hook that can be leveraged for sponsors and fans long before the first race. It also signals Bortoleto’s confidence after a rookie year that already produced points and solid battles with teammate Nico Hülkenberg. Audi’s own early track run in Barcelona on Jan 9 further positions the squad as a front‑runner for the 2026 campaign.

The details:

• Helmet motif – Brazil’s flag wraps the shell, green front, gold rear.
• Video caption – “Locked in, ready to race.”
• RS26 debut – Launch Jan 20 in Berlin; shakedown limited to ≤ 100 km per driver for power‑unit checks.
• Rookie performance – Bortoleto logged multiple points finishes in 2025, matching teammate Nico Hülkenberg.

What's next:

Audi will unveil the RS26 in Berlin, then start full‑season testing. Bortoleto aims to turn his rookie momentum into regular points as the 2026 season unfolds.