Audi’s RS26 hits the track early, turning heads in Barcelona
Audi gave F1 fans an unexpected treat yesterday as their 2026 challenger made its first appearance at a Barcelona test session, well ahead of the competition.
Nico Hulkenberg was first to climb into the cockpit of the next-generation car, sharing driving duties with teammate Gabriel Bortoleto. The pair took turns putting the prototype through its paces.
Each driver was limited to just 100 kilometers of running under filming day regulations.
The private session focused on validating basic procedures and checking that the power unit and all its connected systems functioned properly.
Despite attempts to keep things under wraps, a few images leaked online – with Audi themselves surprisingly sharing a photo on Instagram. The picture confirms what many expected: this early version will look drastically different from the final car that eventually lines up on the grid in Australia.
The team still plans to officially unveil their challenger on January 20 in Berlin.
For the Neuburg-based outfit, getting wheels on tarmac represents a major milestone. They’ve grabbed the paddock’s attention by becoming the first team to actually test their 2026-spec machinery.
## Binotto confident in Audi’s technical expertise
Former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has suggested Audi’s engineering heritage could give them an edge when developing their power unit.
“We need to be careful about making direct comparisons at this stage,” Binotto cautioned, while subtly highlighting how Audi’s specialized know-how might contrast with Red Bull’s “specific” skill set.
His comments come as speculation builds about which teams might emerge strongest from the 2026 regulation overhaul.
Mercedes and Red Bull are frequently mentioned as early favorites, but Audi clearly intends to leverage its extensive technical background to challenge the established order.
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