Audi turned the primary crew to run a 2026 Method 1 automotive as they held a filming day in Barcelona on Friday.
Audi have taken over what was beforehand the Sauber crew, however have develop into a works outfit and are producing their very own engine beneath the game’s new technical rules for this season.
Given the brand new rules characteristic main modifications to each chassis and engine, three pre-season testing occasions have been organized, with the primary going down at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from January 26-30.
A number of groups will possible use one among their two permitted filming days for the season to shakedown their vehicles earlier than the primary take a look at, and Audi turned the primary squad to do that on Friday with their new R26.
In a put up on Instagram, the crew printed a number of photographs taken from the pit lane and storage in the course of the day – though the three that includes the automotive itself unsurprisingly gave little away concerning the design at this early stage of the yr that includes such radical new technical guidelines.
One was shot from a distance because the automotive got here down the pit lane, one other was taken from behind when in its pit field whereas a 3rd simply featured simply the right-hand aspect of its rear wing.
Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto each drove the automotive, whereas crew principal Jonathan Wheatley and Audi F1 head Mattia Binotto have been additionally current.
The crew mentioned of their Instagram put up: “We’re officially rolling.
“A milestone second in Barcelona because the R26 hit a racetrack for the very first time. First day. First laps. First likelihood for our drivers to expertise the automotive.
“The road ahead starts right here.”
Audi will formally launch their new-look crew and first automotive livery at an occasion in Berlin on January 20, 5 days earlier than the R26 is again on observe in Barcelona for the behind-closed-doors first take a look at of pre-season.
All 11 F1 groups on the 2026 grid have now confirmed their plans for ‘launch season’, with the 2 Pink Bull groups kicking issues off with livery launches at new companion Ford’s headquarters in Detroit on January 15.
Watch each race of the 2026 F1 season reside on Sky Sports activities, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
