Audi Set for First 2026 F1 Car Shakedown in Barcelona

Audi will conduct an early shakedown of its 2026 Formula 1 car, the R26, at the Barcelona circuit this Friday. This marks a significant milestone as the first on-track appearance for any car built to the next-generation regulations, giving the German manufacturer a crucial head start on data collection. The move signals project leader Mattia Binotto's emphasis on prioritizing early mileage to ensure reliability ahead of the team's official debut.

Why it matters:

Audi's billion-dollar investment in its F1 project makes its early progress a major storyline for the sport's future. With all teams building brand-new cars and power units for the 2026 regulations overhaul, any early track time is a significant competitive advantage. This shakedown reflects a deliberate strategy by Binotto to front-load the learning process and tackle reliability issues head-on, a critical factor for a newcomer aiming to be competitive from day one.

The details:

• The shakedown will be conducted as a "filming day" at the Spanish Grand Prix venue, allowing the team to run the car outside of official test restrictions.
• This marks the first real-world running for the Audi R26 chassis and the team's maiden in-house Formula 1 power unit.
• Early Spec Engine: Project leader Mattia Binotto has noted the current power unit is an early version and "will be distant to the final one" that will be homologated in March.
• The on-track debut precedes the team's official launch event in Berlin on January 20.
• A more comprehensive private test is scheduled for January 23, also at Barcelona, just before the first official F1 pre-season test begins.

What's next:

The shakedown is the first of several critical milestones for Audi ahead of its full-season debut. Following the Berlin launch, the January 23 private test will provide a much clearer picture of the car's initial performance and reliability. While this early running is a positive sign, the true test will be how quickly Audi can close the gap to established front-runners when the 2026 season kicks off.