Audi is set to make its F1 debut in 2026 as the German manufacturer took over Sauber’s F1 team. With the car launch just a little over a week from now, the team took to Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, for a shakedown. A clip from this private run went viral on social media.
Going into the 2025 season, Sauber had already been acquired by Audi, which will be joining the F1 grid in 2026 with its all-new power unit. Instead of building a team from scratch like the Cadillac F1 team did, the German team chose to acquire Sauber’s setup and enhance it.
While the Hinwil-based team operated under the Sauber name for the 2025 season, Audi had already started development and changes keeping the 2026 season in mind. The German manufacturer revealed that it would host the car launch in Berlin on January 20, less than a week before the preseason test.
However, reports of the German team using one of its filming days, often used to shakedown the cars, suggested that the team would be taking the 2026 competitor to the Circuit de Catalunya on January 9, less than two weeks before the car launch.
While it was supposed to be a private test, videos from the same have surfaced in social media and have gone viral. A clip of the Audi R26 lapping the Spanish GP circuit was first uploaded by @robertofunoat on X. The video featured a blacked-out 2026 Audi competitor with no sponsorship whatsoever, going around the circuit.
The sound of the all-new Audi power unit, going into the 2026 season, was clearly audible in the clips, and many reacted to the same. The first preseason test will take place from January 26 to 30.
Audi’s Team Boss reflects on his journey from mechanic to Team Principal
Former Red Bull engineer Jonathan Wheatley joined Sauber ahead of the 2025 season. Wheatley reflected on his passion for motorsports, looked back on his journey in F1 from a mechanic to now being the Team Principal of Audi. Detailing how privileged he was to attain this position, Wheatley said,
“This would be the least successful career in the world if I had, because it’s taken me 34 years to get here. No, back then, Team Principals were Ron Dennis, Flavio Briatore, Luca di Montezemolo [sic. Di Montezemolo was Ferrari President]. I mean, just to even think for a second that you could be a Team Principal was completely unattainable, because I generally have been happy working in a team environment.” (via Motorsport Week)
German F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg and young Brazilian sensation Gabriel Bortoleto will form Audi’s lineup going into the 2026 season. The German brand reportedly had underestimated the F1 project and had some troubles with the power unit.
