When Audi traveled to Barcelona on January 9 to test its new R26 Formula One car, it made a huge statement of intent to be the first team to put the 2026 car on the track.
Taking the car for its first test run wasn’t a last-minute decision; according to technical director James Key, the work has been underway for about 18 months. Therefore, the team ensures that all design and manufacturing goals are focused on getting the car running in the first week of January.
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This is important for Audi because while the team’s ex-Sauber status has long been on the F1 roster and has extensive data on every track, the powertrain division does not. Therefore, the team needed to collect a reference point for the new power unit as a point of comparison.
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Although the car only traveled the 50 kilometers (31 miles) allowed for the test run, it gave the team a huge boost: the car was running great. And, despite the temptation to delay development by a few weeks – Audi could have fired it up for the first time in the garage at F1’s collective ‘pre-season’ event in Barcelona – Key believes an early start is the best solution.
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“This was a decision made about 18 months ago, so we kind of knew it was coming,” Key explained at the German brand’s Berlin launch event. “It’s not a last-minute thing. But no, we want – as one of only two newcomers – you do need a track reference.
“We have agreed with our colleagues in the powertrain department that we will try to get to the track as soon as possible. The thing is, when you think about how the development process of these cars goes, everything is speculative from a technical regulatory perspective on the chassis until January 1st when we can start doing aerodynamics.
Audi F1 Team
Audi F1 Team
“Aerodynamics, of course, defines the car. You start very, very late in terms of really defining how things have to develop, so you want to go as long as possible, but then you go very early.
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“So everything was massively compressed over the winter. It was a very intense year for us. But we wanted to get a track reference, which we managed to do, which was actually great, with the power unit.”
Key even added that the team may already be up and running a few days earlier, although the unintended impact of Gabriel Bortoleto’s accident at the 2025 World Cup in Brazil may take away from construction time.
Of course, to avoid hyperbole, Bortoletto’s two crashes into the wall at its home grand prix wouldn’t actually jeopardize Audi’s overall chances in 2026 – but it might at least put testing on the back burner.
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After the Brazilian’s crash in a sprint race and another crash throughout the Grand Prix, Sauber had to put its manufacturing operations back into producing 2025 parts to replenish stock, thus wasting time producing 2026 parts.
“We knew it was going to be the first full week of January. I thought it might be a couple days late initially. But we knew it was going to be the first full week. We got there on Friday,” he added.
Gabriel Bortoletto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoletto, Sauber
“But like I said, it meant everything was compressed. So the team tried to work as long as possible without doing anything so we could let the aerodynamics develop. But then to build a car and get it up and running in January, it was absolutely huge.
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“[Bortoleto’s crash] It really made a difference because we were making parts for that car. It was an unfortunate incident but once again the team did their best to recover from this incident.
“We have to build a new wing at the same time as another car. This is what I said before, at the end of the day, the environment is changing rapidly. This is a unique opportunity and this is a journey with Audi.
“I think the team is very motivated by the possibilities and they now have the investment and manpower that we’ve gotten. It’s not easy for them to do something like this, but they want to do it. They want to work overtime to make sure we get it done on time.”
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