Audi is set to spring a surprise on its rivals by becoming the first team to debut its 2026 Formula 1 challenger ahead of pre-season testing in Barcelona.
After years of buildup and development, Audi is just weeks away from its on-track debut in F1, having completed a one hundred per-cent buyout of Sauber.
Still based at the team’s historic factory in Hinwil, Switzerland, the German car giant has spent the past three years focusing on power unit development and team integration.
Its inaugural power unit has been honed and refined at Audi’s Competency Centre in Germany, Audi confirming a successful fire-up took place on December 19th.
The R26 is also now ready to bring together the final pieces of Audi’s preparatory jigsaw, having been developed at Hinwil, and having run in alongside the power unit at the fire-up.
Audi to spring a surprise on rivals in statement of intent
F1 will stage a closed four day test at Barcelona running from January 26th, but Audi will run its car before this, in a move that will surprise rivals.
According to RacingNews365, the German manufacturer will take advantage of the two allocated film days permitted in the regulations and run its car on Friday at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Although the R26 will run at reduced speeds, the data gathered on Audi’s maiden challenger will prove vital to the team as it prepares for its competitive debut.
Just 200 kilometres [125 miles] are permitted during the run, with test-specific tyres to prevent any race data from being gathered, with strict limitations in place on running programmes.
Audi is set to formally launch its car in Berlin on January 20th before joining its rivals in Barcelona for the first test of the 2026 F1 season.
READ MORE: Audi issues ‘critical’ development update in 2026 F1 project
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