Audi Achieves Major 2026 F1 Milestone With First R26 Fire-Up

Audi has marked a significant step towards its 2026 Formula 1 debut by successfully firing up its new power unit within the R26 chassis for the first time. The milestone, achieved on December 19 in Hinwil, validates the intense collaboration between the team's power unit and chassis divisions as they ramp up preparations for their highly anticipated entry into the sport.

Why it matters:

• This fire-up is the first tangible proof that Audi's massive investment in F1 is coming together, integrating their German-built power unit with the Swiss-based Sauber chassis.
• The milestone builds crucial momentum and confidence within the team just weeks before the car's public launch and first pre-season test, setting the tone for their ambitious entry.
• For a new entrant, successfully integrating a complex hybrid power unit with a modern F1 chassis is a massive technical hurdle, making this early success a critical confidence boost.

The details:

• The first fire-up of the Audi power unit in the R26 chassis took place on December 19 at the team's Hinwil facility.
• The R26 will be officially launched to the public on January 20 in Berlin, with the first on-track action scheduled for the closed-doors test in Barcelona from January 26-30.
• Leaders' Quotes:
  • Mattia Binotto (Audi F1 Chief): Called it a "special moment" and a "new beginning," emphasizing it's the "tangible result of our collective ambition."
  • Jonathan Wheatley (Team Principal): Described it as a "critical milestone that validates the quality of the work," adding that it "energises the entire team" and sharpens focus on the first race in Melbourne.
• Global Operations: Audi's F1 project spans multiple locations: power unit development in Neuburg, Germany, chassis operations in Hinwil, Switzerland, and a new technical center in Bicester, England.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Berlin on January 20 for the official launch of the R26, where the world will get its first full look at Audi's 2026 contender. Following that, the real test begins in Barcelona, where the car's performance and reliability will be put through their paces for the first time against their 2026 rivals. This will provide the first real indicator of Audi's competitiveness as they join the grid.