Audi became the first team to field a 2026 Formula 1 car when they held a film day in Barcelona on Friday.
Audi have taken over what was formerly the Sauber team but have become a works outfit and produce their own engine under the sport’s new technical rules for this season.
As the new regulations feature major changes to both chassis and engine, three pre-season test events have been arranged, with the first taking place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from 26-30. January.
Several teams are likely to use one of their two allowed session days for the season to shake down their cars before the first test, and Audi became the first team to do this on Friday with their new R26.
In a post on Instagram, the team published a selection of images taken from the pit lane and garage during the day – although the trio with the car itself unsurprisingly gave little away about the design at this early stage of the year, which features such radical new technical regulations.
One was shot from a distance as the car came down the pitlane, another was taken from behind while in its pit box, while a third just grazed the right side of its rear wing.
Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto both drove the car, while team principal Jonathan Wheatley and Audi F1 boss Mattia Binotto were also present.
The team said in their Instagram post: “We’re officially up and running.
“A milestone moment in Barcelona when the R26 hit a race track for the very first time. First day. First laps. First chance for our drivers to experience the car.
“The road ahead starts right here.”
Audi will officially launch their new team and their first car livery at an event in Berlin on January 20, five days before the R26 is back on track in Barcelona for the first closed-door pre-season test.
All 11 F1 teams on the 2026 grid have now confirmed their plans for the ‘launch season’, with the two Red Bull teams kicking off livery launches at new partner Ford’s headquarters in Detroit on January 15.
Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from 6-8 March. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime