Audi to make history as first 2026 F1 car hits Barcelona Circuit tomorrow

Audi Revolut F1 Team is poised to steal a march on its rivals by becoming the first outfit to run a 2026-specification Formula 1 car when the revolutionary R26 completes its filming day at the Circuit de Catalunya on January 9. The German manufacturer's maiden F1 challenger will mark a watershed moment in the sport's history, offering the paddock its first glimpse of machinery built to radically different technical regulations.

Strategic early running gives Audi crucial head start

In a calculated move that underscores the team's ambition, Audi will utilize one of two allocated promotional events—commonly known as filming days—to conduct vital shakedown running ahead of official pre-season testing. The session will see veteran Nico Hulkenberg and rookie sensation Gabriel Bortoleto share driving duties as they put the R26 through its paces on the 4.675-kilometer Spanish circuit.

While regulations governing filming days impose strict limitations—capping running at just 200 kilometers (approximately 42 laps) and mandating the use of Pirelli's demonstration tire compounds rather than race-specification rubber—the data gleaned from this initial outing will prove invaluable. These restrictions prevent teams from gathering competitive intelligence, yet the opportunity to validate systems integration and operational procedures under real-world conditions represents a significant advantage.

Culmination of years of development

The R26's track debut follows a successful first fire-up on December 19, 2025, when the Audi power unit roared to life within the chassis at the team's Hinwil facility in Switzerland. That pivotal milestone validated years of intensive collaboration between Audi's powertrain division in Neuburg, Germany, and the chassis operation based at the former Sauber headquarters.

Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley described the fire-up as "a critical milestone that validates the quality of the work and collaboration across all departments," adding that it "brings our first race in Melbourne into sharp focus". The successful integration of Audi's in-house power unit—featuring the sport's new emphasis on electric power alongside a highly efficient 1.6-liter turbocharged combustion engine running sustainable fuels—represents a remarkable achievement for a manufacturer making its Formula 1 debut.

2026 regulations reshape F1 landscape

The R26 has been engineered to meet Formula 1's most significant regulatory overhaul in years. The 2026 technical regulations introduce active aerodynamics on the chassis side while substantially increasing the electric motor's contribution to overall power output. The electric motors will generate nearly as much power as the combustion engines, which will produce approximately 400 kW (544 hp), with enhanced energy recovery through regenerative braking systems.

This philosophical shift toward greater electrification and sustainability aligns perfectly with Audi's technological expertise, though it presents unprecedented challenges for all competitors navigating this uncharted territory.

Timeline to competitive action

Tomorrow's filming day represents merely the opening chapter in Audi's compressed preparation schedule. The team will formally unveil the R26 in full race livery at a launch event in Berlin on January 20, before joining rivals for official pre-season testing at Barcelona from January 26-30. The competitive debut will come at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, where Audi aims to justify the monumental investment required to establish itself on Formula 1's global stage.

Having completed a one hundred percent buyout of Sauber, Audi has transformed the historic Swiss outfit into a factory works operation backed by the resources of the Volkswagen Group. The partnership with title sponsor Revolut underscores the commercial ambition underpinning this project.

As the first 2026-specification car prepares to turn a wheel in anger, the entire Formula 1 community will be watching intently. Audi's bold strategic decision to run ahead of its rivals sends an unmistakable message: the four rings are here to compete.