The Audi Revolut F1 Team has completed its first collective on-track activity with the 2026 Barcelona Shakedown Week, held at the Circuit de Barcelona‑Catalunya. This milestone marked the debut of the team’s new R26 for the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Both drivers, Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, participated in the shakedown, completing a filming day under the sport’s regulations to gather initial data on the car’s systems, performance, and operational integration. Images released by the team showcased the R26 in action during its first laps, highlighting Audi’s transition into a full works Formula 1 operation following its acquisition of the Sauber entry ahead of the season.
Barcelona Shakedown Week provided the team with its first opportunity to run alongside other 2026-spec cars, focusing on baseline data collection and validating the R26’s systems while testing trackside operations, pit procedures, and technical workflows. By the end of the week, Audi accumulated over 140 laps, with the data collected feeding directly into preparations for the official pre-season tests in Barcelona and Bahrain.
As expected in early-season running, the team encountered moments of technical challenge, including reliability interruptions that temporarily limited track time. These early setbacks provided crucial insights for engineers, allowing them to refine the car’s performance and reliability while identifying areas for improvement. Feedback from Hülkenberg and Bortoleto was instrumental in shaping the development path for the R26, ensuring the team can enter the upcoming pre-season tests with a clearer understanding of both the chassis and power unit performance.
Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley emphasized the importance of the shakedown beyond on-track mileage, noting that the week allowed the team to practice operational cohesion and technical workflows in a real-track environment. With the baseline data collected and lessons learned, Audi now turns its focus to the upcoming official pre-season tests in Barcelona and Bahrain, where further development and performance work will continue in preparation for the 2026 season opener in Australia.
