Audi unveils heritage livery for Monaco Grand Prix paying tribute to Tazio Nuvolari

Audi will run a special heritage livery at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, replacing its usual fluorescent red with yellow accents to pay tribute to Tazio Nuvolari – one of the greatest drivers of the pre-World War II era.

The yellow detail appears on the rear sections of the sidepods and the four-ring Audi logo on the rear wing, mirroring the emblem that adorned the historic Auto Union Type D cars Nuvolari drove in the late 1930s. Drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto will also wear matching race suits for the event.

Why it matters:

Nuvolari’s legacy – 24 Grand Prix victories, a Mille Miglia win, and a Le Mans 24 Hours triumph – is deeply tied to Audi’s motorsport lineage. The tribute at Monaco carries extra weight: Nuvolari won the principality’s famous street race in its early years. For Audi, now in its second F1 season, the livery signals a deliberate connection to its pre-war roots as Auto Union.

The details:

• Livery specifics: Fluorescent red replaced by bright yellow on the R26’s sidepod rear sections and rear-wing Audi logo.
• Driver gear: Hulkenberg and Bortoleto will wear specially designed race suits matching the revised look.
• Grid-wide trend: Monaco is a hotspot for special liveries. McLaren is celebrating its 1000th Grand Prix with a commemorative design, while Aston Martin has introduced a one-off color-changing look.
• Nuvolari’s resume: Beyond his Grand Prix wins, he conquered the Mille Miglia and Le Mans, cementing his status as a pre-war icon before WWII ended the original Auto Union program.

What’s next:

The tribute runs only for the Monaco weekend, but it reinforces Audi’s growing identity in F1. With McLaren and Aston Martin also showcasing one-off designs, the principality’s streets will be a canvas for storytelling – blending modern racing with historical nods that resonate with fans and the sport’s deep heritage.