Audi will shake down its Formula 1 car at Barcelona on Friday in a major milestone ahead of the German manufacturer’s debut.
The Audi R26 is set to be the first 2026 car to run on track with a filming day at the Spanish Grand Prix venue.
It will be the first running for Audi since rebranding Sauber in its image for 2026, and the first real-world miles for Audi’s maiden F1 engine.
F1’s first test will not take place until the end of the month, at the same circuit, so Audi’s shakedown is coming surprisingly early.
It suggests that project leader Mattia Binotto - who has emphasised the need for good reliability through pre-season - is prioritising early mileage to identify and address any initial issues as soon as possible.
Binotto also indicated to The Race previously that this version of the Audi F1 engine, which was fired up for the first time on December 19, “will be distant to the final one” that will be homologated by March.
“We have built a solid foundation for what will be a long journey,” Binotto said.
Earlier this week, the December fire-up – which marked the first time the Audi engine ran when installed in the chassis – was described as a “special moment” by Binotto and a "critical milestone” by team principal Jonathan Wheatley.
The shakedown will be another key moment before the formal launch of what is officially titled the Audi Revolut F1 Team comes in Berlin on January 20 – three days before the private first test in Barcelona.
