Review: 77259 Audi Revolut F1 Team R26 Race Car
Posted by CapnRex101,
Last year's Speed Champions range introduced the entire grid from the 2024 Formula 1 season and those teams remained unchanged over the 2025 season. However, the 2026 season features Audi, taking the place of Sauber, which requires another Speed Champions car!
77259 Audi Revolut F1 Team R26 Race Car definitely has the potential to be a bit dull, arriving so soon after the cars launched last year. On the other hand, there were improvements made between the LEGO McLaren F1 cars released in 2024 and 2025, so I hoped for similar here.
Summary
77259 Audi Revolut F1 Team R26 Race Car, 215 pieces.
£22.99 / $27.99 / €27.99 | 10.7p / 13.0c / 13.0c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Speed Champions F1 cars are fundamentally good, but this one has some inaccuracies
- Good proportions, with one major exception
- Relatively accurate livery
- Lots of printed parts
- Rear wing is too small
- Inaccurate sidepod shape
- Inferior to some 2025 F1 sets
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
The driver is very bland, matching those in last year's Formula 1 sets, unfortunately. The prior minifigures in Speed Champions F1 sets were decorated with accurate sponsors, so the plain dark bluish grey design is a bit disappointing. The crash helmet looks good though, featuring a trans-red visor and the Audi logo.
All the drivers come with an alternative hair element, which matches the minifigure's head fairly well. A wrench is also provided, again consistent with other Speed Champions sets and used to remove the wheel inserts.
Reference
Source - the-race.com
The Completed Model
Considering its release to coincide with the 2026 season, as opposed to launching a year later like the other Speed Champions F1 sets, I am very impressed with the Audi's livery. The whole forward section should be brushed silver instead of grey, though the areas of black and red are accurately distributed and the vehicle looks distinctive.
Additionally, the proportions of the car are excellent on the whole. This was a strength of prior models in the series and the Audi example is no exception, capturing the vehicle's low ground clearance and its streamlined shape. However, the rear wing is drastically undersized, which is strange because that was not an issue previously, as 77251 McLaren F1 Team MCL38 shows below.
Of course, the prior sets were based on different regulations and the differences are especially noticeable towards the nose. The front wing has been completely overhauled, as the endplates have moved inwards, which is reflected on the model. The printed details on the nose look good, other than the Audi logo being rotated 90 degrees, unlike on the real car.
Wheel deflectors have also been removed from the 2026 cars, so the specialised parts created for the range last year are no longer in use. Instead, the design reverts to using bucket handles as suspension details, much like on 76919 2023 McLaren Formula 1 Car. I found this technique perfectly fine in 2024, but it seems dated now, as though the model has regressed.
The cockpit is constructed similarly to other Speed Champions models, featuring a hinged halo and spoons for the mirrors on each side. These are silver on the final car, but were presumably black on the livery concept images supplied to the LEGO designer. Other details seem faultless though, like the dash of red on the intake behind the driver.
As normal, the driver should really be tucked deeper in the seat and fully protected by the halo, although minifigure proportions make this difficult. Some sponsors are missing from the area in front of the cockpit, while the 'Revolut', 'Camozzi' and 'BP' branding is actually printed on pieces beside the driver. The camera mount is also printed, for the first time.
The standard steering wheel is included, represented by a printed video game controller. The same element has been in use since 2024 and though the controller works perfectly for an F1 steering wheel, I would appreciate new decoration.
I like the shaping around the front of the sidepods, but the bodywork should curve downwards further back. Unfortunately, that feature is clearly highlighted by the red panels tapering on the real car, so the inaccuracy is fairly obvious. However, I do like the clean lines between areas of grey, red and black, as well as the curvature of the airbox.
A new 2x2 curved wedge slope has been introduced with this wave of Speed Champions sets and it looks fantastic on each side of the rear wing. By contrast, this structure is far too narrow. The ends should overlap with the back wheels, but it is sandwiched between them, which looks awkward.
The printed Audi logo on top looks superb, but the 'Revolut' branding on the back is a sticker. There are seven stickers in this set, which is remarkably few for Speed Champions, although that makes sense given the aforementioned missing sponsors.
Overall
Had 77259 Audi Revolut F1 Team R26 Race Car been released a couple of years ago, I would have been impressed. The shaping is appealing on the whole and the vehicle's proportions are reasonably accurate, other than the rear wing. However, these F1 sets took a considerable step forward between 2024 and 2025, whereas this feels like a backwards step.
Reverting to the older front suspension design makes sense, but it seems lacking in detail as a result, while the lack of curvature on the sidepods is noticeable. This is still a decent model, but feels lacking compared with some launched last year, especially considering the price of £22.99, $27.99 or €27.99, which has actually risen slightly since 2025 in the US and Eurozone.
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25 comments on this article
Printing on the ingot pieces really opens up a whole new world of beskar...
I like how f1 have narrowed their tyres this season to make the Lego ones more accurate.
i really enjoyed the 2025 series and this seems like a serious downgrade in terms of overall looks. The suspension linkage looks very dated and is inexcusable given last year's special mold. Why didn't they just redesign last year's mold to remove the mini fender? I would think a design like that would have usage beyond F1, unlike last year's specialize part, which now has extremely limited potential. Just generally bland looking...some black elements on the outside of the front wing would go a long way to break up the gray mass that is the front half of the car.
Side note: I wonder if LEGO knew F1 would be removing the deflectors in 2026 and in effect they were producing a one-and-done suspension mold...seems somewhat wasteful given all the insight we hear from designers regarding mold costs and versatility.
Would have liked to see the rear wing lights, more accurate rear wing, better front suspension and colour matched wing mirrors.
Missing the ‘Visit Qatar’ sponsorship is fortuitous in hindsight though.
I have a full set of ground effect cars (modified the earlier McLaren and Aston Martin to match ie front and rear suspension, tyres etc) but I don’t see a reason to get this unless they release more of the 2026 cars.
@CDM said:
"Side note: I wonder if LEGO knew F1 would be removing the deflectors in 2026 and in effect they were producing a one-and-done suspension mold...seems somewhat wasteful given all the insight we hear from designers regarding mold costs and versatility. "
They put two in every copy of ten different models that were priced under $20. First of all, I’m sure they made a metric crapton just to meet demand for those sets. Second, I’m sure they priced those sets according to how much usage they expected to get out of that mold. That’s part of the new world for set designers. You _can_ have a special one-off mold, but the set you design has to cover the full cost of mold production for that part.
@PurpleDave said:
" @CDM said:
"Side note: I wonder if LEGO knew F1 would be removing the deflectors in 2026 and in effect they were producing a one-and-done suspension mold...seems somewhat wasteful given all the insight we hear from designers regarding mold costs and versatility. "
They put two in every copy of ten different models that were priced under $20. First of all, I’m sure they made a metric crapton just to meet demand for those sets. Second, I’m sure they priced those sets according to how much usage they expected to get out of that mold. That’s part of the new world for set designers. You _can_ have a special one-off mold, but the set you design has to cover the full cost of mold production for that part."
Looked at this for a second wondering "What the hell form of measurement is a crapton?"
@StudMuffin24 said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @CDM said:
"Side note: I wonder if LEGO knew F1 would be removing the deflectors in 2026 and in effect they were producing a one-and-done suspension mold...seems somewhat wasteful given all the insight we hear from designers regarding mold costs and versatility. "
They put two in every copy of ten different models that were priced under $20. First of all, I’m sure they made a metric crapton just to meet demand for those sets. Second, I’m sure they priced those sets according to how much usage they expected to get out of that mold. That’s part of the new world for set designers. You _can_ have a special one-off mold, but the set you design has to cover the full cost of mold production for that part."
Looked at this for a second wondering "What the hell form of measurement is a crapton?""
It’s a very precise measurement that means “a lot”.
@PurpleDave said:
" @StudMuffin24 said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @CDM said:
"Side note: I wonder if LEGO knew F1 would be removing the deflectors in 2026 and in effect they were producing a one-and-done suspension mold...seems somewhat wasteful given all the insight we hear from designers regarding mold costs and versatility. "
They put two in every copy of ten different models that were priced under $20. First of all, I’m sure they made a metric crapton just to meet demand for those sets. Second, I’m sure they priced those sets according to how much usage they expected to get out of that mold. That’s part of the new world for set designers. You _can_ have a special one-off mold, but the set you design has to cover the full cost of mold production for that part."
Looked at this for a second wondering "What the hell form of measurement is a crapton?""
It’s a very precise measurement that means “a lot”."
The ultimate Freedom unit? ;-)
@PurpleDave said:
" @CDM said:
"Side note: I wonder if LEGO knew F1 would be removing the deflectors in 2026 and in effect they were producing a one-and-done suspension mold...seems somewhat wasteful given all the insight we hear from designers regarding mold costs and versatility. "
They put two in every copy of ten different models that were priced under $20. First of all, I’m sure they made a metric crapton just to meet demand for those sets. Second, I’m sure they priced those sets according to how much usage they expected to get out of that mold. That’s part of the new world for set designers. You _can_ have a special one-off mold, but the set you design has to cover the full cost of mold production for that part."
Priced under $20? Try again. And yes, they put them in 10 sets straight away, but my question is did they know it had a short shelf life, and if not, in hindsight, would they have designed it differently?
Too bad the improvements to the Lego sets didn’t translate to the actual cars
@PurpleDave said:
" @StudMuffin24 said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @CDM said:
"Side note: I wonder if LEGO knew F1 would be removing the deflectors in 2026 and in effect they were producing a one-and-done suspension mold...seems somewhat wasteful given all the insight we hear from designers regarding mold costs and versatility. "
They put two in every copy of ten different models that were priced under $20. First of all, I’m sure they made a metric crapton just to meet demand for those sets. Second, I’m sure they priced those sets according to how much usage they expected to get out of that mold. That’s part of the new world for set designers. You _can_ have a special one-off mold, but the set you design has to cover the full cost of mold production for that part."
Looked at this for a second wondering "What the hell form of measurement is a crapton?""
It’s a very precise measurement that means “a lot”."
somewhere after a pinch and a heap, but before a gazillion or an umpteen amount, I suppose...
@StudMuffin24 said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @StudMuffin24 said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @CDM said:
"Side note: I wonder if LEGO knew F1 would be removing the deflectors in 2026 and in effect they were producing a one-and-done suspension mold...seems somewhat wasteful given all the insight we hear from designers regarding mold costs and versatility. "
They put two in every copy of ten different models that were priced under $20. First of all, I’m sure they made a metric crapton just to meet demand for those sets. Second, I’m sure they priced those sets according to how much usage they expected to get out of that mold. That’s part of the new world for set designers. You _can_ have a special one-off mold, but the set you design has to cover the full cost of mold production for that part."
Looked at this for a second wondering "What the hell form of measurement is a crapton?""
It’s a very precise measurement that means “a lot”."
somewhere after a pinch and a heap, but before a gazillion or an umpteen amount, I suppose..."
Definitely less than the Ancient Greek measurement of “their numbers blot out the sun”.
@PurpleDave said:
"…First of all, I’m sure they made a metric crapton just to meet demand for those sets..."
What’s that in inches?
I feel the rear wing structure is the correct width but the overly thick side plates make the aerofoil look too short. The 2026 wings are much narrower than the '25 versions were. Not sure how this could be fixed without making a specialised part.
The real car has a NEXO sponsorship so a Nexo Knights reference would have been a fun Easter egg, but I'm sure Audi would disapprove.
"77259 Audi Revolut F1 Team R26 Race Car definitely has the potential to be a bit dull"
And to its credit, the set lives up to its potential.
Last year's specialized suspension piece is used cleverly in one of the new Batmobiles so it's still around. I understand the real F1 cars are smaller and different shapes than they were two years ago but this still feels like a serious downgrade in detail and shelf presence, maybe if the front end was done in silver it would look better?
@yellowcastle said:
" @PurpleDave said:
"…First of all, I’m sure they made a metric crapton just to meet demand for those sets..."
What’s that in inches?"
An Imperial crapton?
@FuddRuckus said:
"The real car has a NEXO sponsorship so a Nexo Knights reference would have been a fun Easter egg, but I'm sure Audi would disapprove."
They could have worked a Nexo tile in without raising eyebrows.
Is anyone else disappointed with the use of LBG bricks?
@PurpleDave said:
" @FuddRuckus said:
"The real car has a NEXO sponsorship so a Nexo Knights reference would have been a fun Easter egg, but I'm sure Audi would disapprove."
They could have worked a Nexo tile in without raising eyebrows."
They did! There are four of them among the layer of black tiles underneath the sidepods, although I doubt it was a deliberate reference.
@CapnRex101
Can you add the set-numbers for the McLaren F1 cars released in 2023 and 2024?
I seem to be able to only find only one of those 2...
Thanks
@PurpleDave said:
" @CDM said:
"Side note: I wonder if LEGO knew F1 would be removing the deflectors in 2026 and in effect they were producing a one-and-done suspension mold...seems somewhat wasteful given all the insight we hear from designers regarding mold costs and versatility. "
They put two in every copy of ten different models that were priced under $20. First of all, I’m sure they made a metric crapton just to meet demand for those sets. Second, I’m sure they priced those sets according to how much usage they expected to get out of that mold. That’s part of the new world for set designers. You _can_ have a special one-off mold, but the set you design has to cover the full cost of mold production for that part."
The mold can also be used to build MOCs of the older F1 cars that never got sets which may have sold even more copies to secondary parts market sellers. This is not a situation like Sembos AREA-X Spongebob sets for which they made huge pineapple shell, Patrick's rock and treedome pieces just to sell those sets for about 6 months, just in time for LEGO snatching the license back to make another undersized half shell pineapple.
"There are seven stickers in this set, which is remarkably few for Speed Champions,..." Especially given that it's an F1 set. Also, given that the Lego sets were my only reference for what F1 cars look like now, I hadn't realized that the halo was that high.
@PurpleDave said:
" @StudMuffin24 said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @StudMuffin24 said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @CDM said:
"Side note: I wonder if LEGO knew F1 would be removing the deflectors in 2026 and in effect they were producing a one-and-done suspension mold...seems somewhat wasteful given all the insight we hear from designers regarding mold costs and versatility. "
They put two in every copy of ten different models that were priced under $20. First of all, I’m sure they made a metric crapton just to meet demand for those sets. Second, I’m sure they priced those sets according to how much usage they expected to get out of that mold. That’s part of the new world for set designers. You _can_ have a special one-off mold, but the set you design has to cover the full cost of mold production for that part."
Looked at this for a second wondering "What the hell form of measurement is a crapton?""
It’s a very precise measurement that means “a lot”."
somewhere after a pinch and a heap, but before a gazillion or an umpteen amount, I suppose..."
Definitely less than the Ancient Greek measurement of “their numbers blot out the sun”."
Then I will measure in the shade.
@TheOtherMike said:
""There are seven stickers in this set, which is remarkably few for Speed Champions,..." Especially given that it's an F1 set. Also, given that the Lego sets were my only reference for what F1 cars look like now, I hadn't realized that the halo was that high."
Partly it’s that the halo is that high, and partly it’s that the driver sits a lot lower than a minifig can manage. The idea is that it’s supposed to be a 200mph, aerodynamic roll cage to keep the driver’s head protected. And there have been times when the halo has saved lives, like that one race where Lewis Hamilton drove right under Max Verstappen’s car.
" @PurpleDave said:
"Definitely less than the Ancient Greek measurement of “their numbers blot out the sun”."
Then I will measure in the shade."
Oh, then you might be interested to know that there’s a recent photo of the sun that was taken underwater, in the dark:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B3m3AMRlYfc