What: Audi RS 5 Avant Race Control Car
Era: Audi modern era
Model Family: RS 5
Market / Zone: EU / Audi Nederland
Model Years: 2026 – current
Production Span:
Number Produced:
Model / Generation Code(s): B10
Chassis / Matrix: Type FU / PPC
Base Model: Audi RS 5 Avant
Vehicle Type: Race Control / circuit support vehicle
Market / Zone: Netherlands
Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Year: 2026
Event: Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix
Location: Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands
Operator: Dutch Grand Prix organization
Supplier: Audi Netherlands
Number Produced / Prepared: 3
Engine: 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 TFSI + electric motor
System Output: 470 kW (639 PS / approx. 631 SAE hp)
Torque: 825 Nm (608 lb-ft)
Drive: quattro with Dynamic Torque Control
Transmission: 8-speed tiptronic
Body Style: Avant (station wagon)
Status: Event support vehicle
SUMMARY
For the 2026 Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort, Audi Netherlands supplied three specially prepared Audi RS 5 Avant models for use by Race Control and other senior circuit officials.
The cars formed half of a six-vehicle Audi operational fleet at the Dutch Grand Prix. Three Q5 e-hybrid Medical Cars provided additional medical support, while the RS 5 Avants were assigned to personnel who needed to move quickly around the circuit in response to incidents and other operational requirements.
Each RS 5 received a dedicated Dutch Grand Prix livery and roof-mounted orange warning lights, identifying the cars as part of the event’s operational organization.
RACE CONTROL ROLE
The three RS 5 Avant Race Control Cars were made available to Race Control officials, the Head Track Official and the Rescue Chief, among others.
Their role required a combination of speed, handling and practical access to different areas of Circuit Zandvoort. In the event of an incident, officials could use the cars to reach the relevant section of the circuit quickly.
Unlike the official FIA Safety Car or Medical Car, the RS 5s were not deployed to control the Formula 1 field. They instead served the Dutch Grand Prix’s operational organization behind the scenes.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
The three RS 5 Avant Race Control Cars were specially prepared for their Zandvoort duties with:
- Dutch Grand Prix-specific exterior livery
- Roof-mounted light bar
- Orange warning lighting
- Interior controls for the warning-light system
- Race Control identification
The conversion appears to have been relatively light and focused on visibility and operational use rather than substantial mechanical modification. Audi Netherlands did not announce any changes to the powertrain, chassis, brakes or other performance systems.
BASE VEHICLE
The Race Control Car was based on the B10-generation Audi RS 5 Avant introduced in February 2026. The model marked Audi Sport’s first high-performance plug-in hybrid production car and replaced the RS 4 Avant as the high-performance Avant within Audi’s midsize model family.
Its powertrain combines a 375 kW (510 PS) 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with a 130 kW (177 PS) electric motor integrated into an eight-speed tiptronic transmission. Combined output is 470 kW (639 PS) and 825 Nm (608 lb-ft) of torque. A 25.9-kWh gross / 22-kWh net high-voltage battery supports the plug-in hybrid system.
The B10 RS 5 also introduced Audi Sport’s quattro with Dynamic Torque Control. The system combines a preloaded center differential with electromechanical rear-axle torque vectoring capable of varying torque between the rear wheels within milliseconds.
In production form, the RS 5 Avant accelerates from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 3.6 seconds and can reach 285 km/h (177 mph) when equipped with the appropriate optional package.
SIGNIFICANCE TO AUDI
The Zandvoort Race Control Cars represented one of the first prominent operational uses of the new B10 RS 5 Avant following its introduction earlier in 2026.
Their deployment also connected Audi’s new production performance flagship with the company’s first season as a Formula 1 constructor. Audi Netherlands specifically positioned the RS 5 as a road-going expression of technology and knowledge associated with Audi’s expanding motorsport activities.
At Zandvoort, the cars had a functional rather than purely promotional role. They were integrated into the operational organization of the Grand Prix and assigned to officials responsible for circuit operations, track response and rescue coordination.
Together with three Audi Q5 e-hybrid Medical Cars, the RS 5s formed a six-car Audi support fleet at the circuit.
The assignment also occurred during the final Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort for the foreseeable future, giving the three Race Control Cars additional significance within Audi’s event history.
RELATED VEHICLES
Audi Q5 e-hybrid Medical Car – Dutch Grand Prix 🇳🇱 (B10, 2026)
Three specially prepared Q5 e-hybrid models accompanied the RS 5 fleet. Two provided additional medical support during the Formula 1 program while a third served as a Medical Car for the Porsche Supercup.
Audi RS 5 Avant – EU 🇪🇺 (B10, from 2026)
Production model on which the Dutch Grand Prix Race Control Car was based.
SOURCES
Audi Netherlands – “Audi supports Race Control and medical teams during Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix,” August 2026.
ooooIYKYK / Audi Archives – Audi RS 5 Avant – EU 🇪🇺 (B10, from 2026), February 20, 2026.
PHOTO GALLERY
RESEARCH NOTES
- Audi Netherlands supplied three RS 5 models for Race Control and circuit operational duties at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix.
- Audi’s imagery and the supplied reference identify the cars as the RS 5 Avant.
- Users included Race Control officials, the Head Track Official and Rescue Chief, among others.
- Each car was fitted with a roof-mounted light bar using orange warning lights controllable from inside the vehicle.
- All three received a Dutch Grand Prix-specific livery.
- Audi did not announce mechanical modifications to the Race Control Cars.
- The production RS 5 Avant uses the B10 designation, Type FU and PPC architecture.
- The Race Control Cars should not be categorized as Formula 1 Safety Cars. Their stated function was transportation for Race Control and other operational personnel rather than controlling the race field.
- Further research should establish registration numbers and VINs for the three vehicles and determine whether their Dutch Grand Prix configuration was retained after the event.
ARCHIVE STATUS
Known status: Unknown following the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix.
Audi Netherlands supplied and specially prepared the three cars for operational use at Circuit Zandvoort. No information released with the program confirms whether they remained in Race Control specification following the event, were returned to standard road-car configuration, sold or retained by Audi.
Given the significance of the 2026 season as Audi’s first in Formula 1, confirmation of whether one of the Zandvoort Race Control Cars was preserved by Audi Netherlands, Audi Tradition or another Audi collection would be worthwhile.
Status of the post: Initial archive entry complete. Further research recommended on individual vehicle identities, registration numbers, VINs and post-event disposition.