Audi appears to be expanding its fleet of RS 5 Formula 1 support cars, with newly released images revealing an additional RS 5 Avant alongside the sedan that debuted earlier this season.
When Audi first introduced the RS 5 as its official Formula 1 Pirelli Hot Laps vehicle ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the company confirmed that two production-specification RS 5 models would be used during select race weekends. Those cars, with Audi exclusive details like Titanium finish with Lava Red Audi rings and wheel center caps inspired by the Audi R26 Formula 1 challenger, initially appeared exclusively as sedans in North America.
Now, fresh photography released by Audi at its Ingolstadt headquarters and also from the British Grand Prix in Silverstone confirms the program has grown. Alongside another RS 5 Sedan sits an identically prepared RS 5 Avant wearing the same Formula 1-inspired spec. The wagon was seen during last weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where it was seen participating in Formula 1 Pirelli Hot Laps activities.
While Audi has not officially announced an expansion of the fleet, the evidence points in that direction. The Avant is unquestionably a new addition, as no wagon variant was shown or referenced during the initial Miami launch. It also seems unlikely that a single pair of vehicles would be transported between every Formula 1 venue worldwide, particularly with overlapping logistics and the demands of a 24-race championship.
That raises an interesting possibility. The three sedans seen supporting earlier races in North America may remain assigned to that region, while the newly photographed Avant and accompanying sedan appear to form the basis of a European-based support fleet. Whether the sedan shown in Ingolstadt is one of the original American cars or an additional European example remains unclear, but the Avant’s appearance confirms that Audi has broadened the program beyond its initial configuration.
The expansion also allows Audi to showcase both body styles of the new RS 5. While the sedan is the more familiar global performance flagship, the Avant has long held special significance in Europe, where high-performance wagons remain a defining part of the Audi Sport identity. Featuring the same 639-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain and new quattro with Dynamic Torque Control, the Avant offers Formula 1 guests the same performance credentials while highlighting one of Audi’s most recognizable body styles.
Although Audi hasn’t publicly confirmed how many RS 5 support cars now exist, the growing presence of both sedan and Avant variants suggests the fleet is evolving alongside the company’s expanding Formula 1 program.
