Audi claims breakthrough after eliminating 'clunky' F1 gremlins

Audi’s 2026 F1 effort logged 344 clean laps in Bahrain and rolled out a bold side‑pod, with team boss Jonathan Wheatley saying the crew is finally “hitting the gremlins with hammers” after the teething problems in Barcelona.

Why it matters:

• 344 clean laps prove Audi’s power unit and gearbox can now run reliably, a key hurdle for a debutante team.
• Solving the Barcelona‑era operational gremlins frees up data collection and lets the team focus on aerodynamic gains from the new side‑pod.

The details:

• 344 laps in Bahrain without a single technical stop, a huge leap from the 12‑lap Barcelona shakedown.
• New side‑pod features a sculpted inlet and revised cooling ducts, aimed at improving airflow and cutting drag.
• Audi’s home‑grown power unit and gearbox now meet reliability targets that usually take teams years to achieve.

What's next:

Next up is a Jeddah test focused on tyre wear and pit‑stop rhythm, putting the new side‑pod through high‑speed corners. Audi will lock in its aero package before the season‑opening Melbourne GP, and Wheatley warns the to‑do list will only grow as they chase marginal gains.