Formula 1 Rumor: Audi R26 will run first 2026 car this week

The Audi F1 team is to hold a filming day in Barcelona on Friday (January 9), AutoRacing1.com understands.

Each team is allowed two filming days with current-spec machinery each season, with Audi permitted to carry out 200 kilometers (42 laps) of running.

January 8, 2026

(GMM) Audi’s all-new Formula 1 project, dubbed the R26, could take its first tentative steps onto the track as early as Friday, according to a rumor in Germany.

Auto motor und sport says the German manufacturer has reserved the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for January 9, well ahead of the first group test, raising the prospect of a low-key rollout of its first full 2026 car.

The report follows confirmation that the new Audi power unit was successfully fired up shortly before Christmas at the team’s Hinwil base, marking the first time the V6 engine has run inside the completed 2026 chassis.

🚨 The Audi R26 has officially fired up for the first time.

After months of testing and refinement, Audi confirms the first engine fire-up of its 2026 F1 project. More than a technical milestone, a key moment in bringing the vision to life. pic.twitter.com/iWoOEwH8jr

— Inside Audi F1 (@InsideAudiF1) January 7, 2026

While the team has not officially confirmed a Barcelona shakedown, the reports claim the outing would be strictly functional, with limited mileage, non-race Pirelli tires, and little emphasis on performance data, especially given the expected cool winter conditions.

Audi CEO Gernot Dollner recently described the December fire-up as a symbolic moment for the brand’s F1 entry, while project boss Mattia Binotto said seeing the full package come to life had injected “incredible energy” into the program.

The team is already scheduled to formally unveil its 2026 car in Berlin on January 20, although only a show car livery is expected to be revealed at that stage.

Speaking to Bild, Hulkenberg urged patience over expectations for Audi’s debut season.

“We can only truly determine our position during qualifying before the season opener in Melbourne,” said the 38-year-old. “That’s when everyone will be performing at their best for the first time.

“Of course, expectations for a German factory team will be high, especially in Germany, but we have to be realistic. This is a long-term project, and there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Hulkenberg added that early-season form would matter less than Audi’s development curve through 2026.

“What matters is where we are six months later, just before the season finale, compared to the other teams,” he said.