Audi Conducts Secret Shakedown of 2026 F1 Car
Audi became the first team to run its 2026 Formula 1 car, completing a secret shakedown at the Barcelona circuit. The successful early run shows the new manufacturer is on schedule for its F1 debut.
Audi has stolen a march on its Formula 1 rivals, becoming the first team to complete a shakedown of its 2026 car during a private filming day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The secret run, which took place on Friday, signals the German manufacturer's preparations are firmly on schedule for its highly anticipated F1 debut, with the initial installation lap reportedly completed without any significant issues.
Why it matters:
As a factory entrant, Audi's every move is under the microscope. Completing a successful early shakedown demonstrates that the massive project is progressing smoothly and hitting its internal milestones. This proactive approach builds confidence that the team will be ready to compete from the very start of the 2026 season against established powerhouses like Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari.
The details:
- Driver Lineup: While Audi has not officially confirmed, all indications are that Nico Hülkenberg was behind the wheel for the car's first-ever laps. His teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto, was also present at the circuit and was expected to get his first taste of the new machine later in the day.
- Shakedown Purpose: The goal of a filming day is not to set lap times. Engineers focused on fundamental system checks, verifying that systems like the cooling and powertrain are functioning correctly before the car is pushed to its limits in official testing.
- Car Appearance: No official images have been released, but onlookers reported seeing the car in an unpainted black carbon fiber finish, featuring only the iconic four-ring logo on the rear wing. The official chassis name has yet to be confirmed.
- Regulatory Constraints: F1 rules restrict filming days to a maximum of 200km (approximately 42 laps). To prevent teams from gathering performance data, Pirelli supplies special demonstration tires that do not behave like the actual race compounds used in grands prix.
What's next:
Audi's program will accelerate rapidly following this initial milestone. The team is set to officially launch its 2026 car, complete with its final race livery, at an event in Berlin on January 20. Following the launch, all teams will gather for the first official pre-season test of the year, also in Barcelona, beginning on January 26, where the Audi's true performance will finally be revealed.