The first-ever Audi Formula 1 car has been sighted completing its maiden shakedown at the Circuit de-Barcelona Catalunya.
The German marque is preparing to make its maiden entry to F1, having morphed into its own works team from the existing Sauber squad.
Having fired up the engine that will power the R26 challenger on December 19, the Jonathan Wheatley-led outfit has taken the next step, ahead of all its other 10 rival teams.
Amateur footage taken from inside the Spanish GP circuit shows the car completing its first runs, within the allocated filming days all teams are given, with 200km [125 miles] on test-specific tyres.
Given the proximity of the footage, little in the way of finer details can be given about the car, but it is understood that both Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto will have completed 100km each by the end of the day.
Audi will formally launch the R26 in Berlin on January 20, before the first official F1 pre-season testing programme begins just six days later.
La prima monoposto 2026 e’ Audi che sta girando al Montmelo’. #F1 #AudiF1 #ShakeDown pic.twitter.com/5sNcSE2Bx9
— RobertoF1 (@robertofunoat) January 9, 2026
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