Audi Shows Off 2026 F1 Car, Red Bull Confirms Hadjar's Race Engineer

Audi has provided the clearest look yet at its 2026 Formula 1 car, the RS26, following its maiden shakedown at the Barcelona circuit with Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Simultaneously, Red Bull Racing is solidifying its driver support structure, confirming that experienced engineer Richard Wood will be the race engineer for rookie Isack Hadjar. These moves mark significant early steps for both teams as they prepare for the new era of regulations in 2026.

Why it matters:

Audi's first on-track appearance is a major milestone for its highly anticipated F1 entry, replacing Sauber and signaling its commitment to competing at the top. For Red Bull, pairing a promising rookie like Hadjar with a seasoned engineer like Wood is a strategic move to ensure a smooth integration and maximize his potential from day one, crucial for a team aiming for continued dominance.

The details:

• Audi's Shakedown: The Audi F1 Team conducted the first 2026 car test at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, making it the first team to run its new machinery on track.
  • Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto both drove the new RS26 challenger during the shakedown.
  • This test follows the successful first fire-up of the Audi power unit in December, marking a key step in the project's development.
• Red Bull's Engineering Lineup: Richard Wood, who has served as a race engineer for Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda, will be Isack Hadjar's race engineer.
  • Hadjar impressed in his rookie season, securing a podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and will partner Max Verstappen in 2026.

What's next:

Audi will now focus on intensive development and simulation work ahead of the 2026 pre-season testing, with these early images providing the first glimpse of their design philosophy. For Hadjar and Wood, the immediate focus will be on building a strong working relationship during the off-season, a critical factor that will heavily influence the Frenchman's adaptation to a top-tier team.