Audi F1 Team Faces Early Setback in 2026 Testing with R26
Teh Audi Formula 1 team experienced a challenging start to their 2026 pre-season testing program, with their new R26 car completing only 27 laps during the morning session. A technical issue forced Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto to stop on track around 11:30 local time, triggering a red flag period.
The team swiftly identified the problem as a precautionary measure and confirmed that a solution is in development for the remainder of the week. Despite the limited running, Bortoleto remained optimistic, acknowledging that such complications are typical during the initial phases of a new technical era in Formula 1.
“We did a pretty decent job this morning and were heading in the right direction,” Bortoleto stated. “But in this kind of shakedown, anything can happen. It’s crucial to find all the issues now so they don’t repeat themselves in future tests or the first races of the season.”
Bortoleto emphasized the positive aspects of the brief track time, noting the encouraging performance of the new car, regulations, and power unit. He expressed hope for a substantially increased lap count in subsequent sessions.
Audi officials explained that the decision to halt running for the day was deliberate, prioritizing a thorough understanding of the issue to ensure a stable testing program moving forward.the team remains confident that this minor setback will not derail their overall preparation plans, with the current focus being on data analysis and adaptation to the new engine regulations, which place a greater emphasis on electric power.
“These are small things we were even expecting to appear,” Bortoleto added. “Unfortunately, it happened a little early, and we couldn’t get everything sorted to continue, but we’ll analyze the data, understand how to avoid these mistakes or problems with the car. We’ll try to make the next days run smoothly and with many laps, as that’s exactly what we need.”
The team’s commitment to a data-driven approach and proactive problem-solving underscores their determination to overcome this early hurdle and build a competitive foundation for their highly anticipated entry into Formula 1 in 2026.
