Track action

Audi chose the Miami Grand Prix weekend to debut the all-new RS 5 as its new hot-lap vehicle, giving racegoers the chance to experience exhilarating plug-in hybrid performance in the hands of race veterans.

While the new RS 5 in fact made its world debut at the Melbourne Grand Prix in March this year, its Miami appearance saw it become part of the ongoing Formula 1 support program which will operate for the remainder of the season and see the brand’s newest RS model assume track duties at selected rounds of the FIA Formula 1 Championship.

The two Audi RS 5 models now in action feature a special colour scheme but no technical enhancements, leaving the combination of the 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo engine with its 375kW and a 130kW electric motor to do all of the talking.

The titanium colour scheme with lava red rings front and rear as well as on the wheel hubs is inspired by the Audi R26 race car and creates a visual connection with the team, while the hybrid-drive nature of the RS 5 is perfectly in keeping with the new era of hybrid power in Formula 1.

The two vehicles are prepared and maintained by experienced racing engineers from Audi Sport and behind the wheel are two of the brand’s most celebrated drivers bringing immense experience from the very highest levels of international competition. In one car, Markus Winkelhock boasts numerous GT3 victories worldwide including winning the gruelling Nürburgring 24-hour race three times. He is a fierce competitor who in 2007, famously led the race at the Nürburgring during what was during his only Formula 1 race appearance.

Winkelhock has also competed numerous times at the Bathurst 12 Hour race with Audi Sport, where he has narrowly missed victory on a track he rates as one of his favourites globally.

“I’m really looking forward to introducing guests to the Formula 1 racetracks and, above all, to the agility and dynamism of the new Audi RS 5,” says Winkelhock. “Especially in tight corners like those on the track around the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the quattro with Dynamic Torque Control can really showcase its advantages. For me, this is tangible Vorsprung durch Technik, which Audi drivers can experience through an exceptional blend of maximum sportiness and everyday comfort.”

Driving the second car, Dindo Capello is a seasoned international campaigner whose exploits particularly in the World Endurance Championship and the American Le Mans Series make him one of the modern greats. He has twice won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Audi Sport as well as two American Le Mans Series titles, with five Sebring 12 Hours victories to his credit.

With this level of motor racing pedigree in addition to the very latest performance model from Audi Sport, visitors to Miami and those attending future Formula 1 races are certainly in for a treat.

The selection of Miami as the debut event for the RS 5 hot-laps was a conscious choice, reflecting the brand’s desire to grow its presence even further in the US which stands as the second-largest automotive market in the world.

“Formula 1 is captivating more and more people around the world. We’re leveraging this momentum to infuse the Audi brand with emotional appeal,” says says Marco Schubert, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG.

At the same time, we aim to achieve sustainable growth in the US, and to that end, we’re already bringing our transformation to life on the road. The Audi Q9, tailored for the US market, will be the flagship of our portfolio. I’m already looking forward to its launch, which will take place later this year.”

The RS 5 hot-lap cars will have their next outing later this month when the 2026 FIA Formula 1 Championship heads to Montreal for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix 22-24 May.