With the 2026 season fast approaching, Audi completed its first track run of the new car during a filming day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, marking a key milestone in the team’s transition from Kick Sauber to the factory Audi Revolut F1 Team.

The R26 ran for the first time in Montmeló on Friday, with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto at the wheel, gathering the first data from the power unit and chassis under the new regulations. “It was a short day, but it gives us a lot of learnings to improve the car and be ready for the next tests”, Bortoleto explained.

The team had previously confirmed on January 7 that the fire-up (first engine start of the car) had been successfully completed, and announced that their official launch will take place in Berlin on January 20, where the full livery will be unveiled before a public opening the following day. The car had been previously shown in November with an early concept in titanium, carbon black and Audi red, previewing the season’s aesthetic.

Audi will join the other 10 teams at the private pre-season test in Barcelona from January 26-30, ahead of the two official tests in Bahrain, scheduled for February 11-13 and 18-20, completing the team’s preparations for its inaugural season as a works team.

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