F1 2026 Shakedown Images: Audi, Cadillac, and Racing Bulls Hit the Track

Formula 1 teams have officially transitioned from factory floors to asphalt, launching the 2026 pre-season with initial shakedown runs across Europe. After months of design and engineering behind closed doors, Audi, Cadillac, and Racing Bulls have emerged to validate their new challengers, offering the world a first look at the machinery set to define the upcoming season.

Why it matters:

These early track sessions are critical for identifying reliability issues and validating aerodynamic concepts before the intense pressure of official pre-season testing. For new entrants like Audi and Cadillac, these laps represent the culmination of massive investments and the first true test of their operational readiness against established competitors.

The details:

• Audi: The German marque set the pace by being the first on track at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on January 9. Utilizing a filming day, they ran a heavily camouflaged, blacked-out livery to obscure technical details. Driver Gabriel Bortoleto provided an emotional insight into the event, admitting he had "goosebumps everywhere" as the power unit fired up for the first time.
• Cadillac: The American-backed squad chose Silverstone for their debut run, leveraging the circuit's proximity to their new UK headquarters. The team managed to keep visuals under wraps, releasing only a short clip of the car speeding down the Hamilton Straight with experienced line-up Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas at the wheel.
• Racing Bulls: Formerly known as Visa Cash App RB, the team provided the most comprehensive view of the VCARB03 at Imola. Over two days dedicated to demonstration and filming, Liam Lawson handled driving duties. The open nature of the venue allowed photographers to capture clear images of the car's bodywork and aero concepts.

What's next:

While these three teams have shown their hands, the rest of the grid remains in the shadows. As the countdown to the first official test continues, more teams are expected to schedule private shakedowns, likely leading to a steady stream of images and speculation about the competitive order for 2026.