Audi Formula 1 drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have reacted to the team’s first on-track appearance in a shakedown on Friday.
The German marque, taking over the Sauber entry, made the radical decision to become the first of the 11 teams on the grid to put an early iteration of its R26 through its paces.
And via its allocated 200km track allowance, the car was given an early run at the Circuit de-Barcelona Catalunya, having fired up its engine on December 19.
As reported by Motorsport Week, the car was spotted tackling the Spanish circuit, with both Hulkenberg and Bortoleto each afforded half of the track time.
And both men took to social media to convey their excitement at getting behind the wheel of the R26 for the first time.
“9th of January 2026 & the rings are rolling,” wrote Hulkenberg.
“Fantastic effort Audi F1.”
Bortoleto added: “So happy to finally start this journey! First day at the track with Audi F1.”
The team itself also acknowledged the special occasion, saying the signified the start of the “road ahead” for the Jonathan Wheatley-led team.
“We’re officially rolling. A milestone moment in Barcelona as the R26 hit a racetrack for the very first time,” it read.
“First day. First laps. First chance for our drivers to experience the car.
“The road ahead starts right here.”
January will be a busy month for Audi, with the first pre-season testing scheduled pencilled in for January 26 at the same circuit, six days after its official launch in Berlin.
And two days after that, it will be represented in a meeting between the F1 manufacturers and the FIA to determine a supposed anomaly in the new rulebook, allegedly exploited by Mercedes and Red Bull.
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