Audi sparked a flurry of speculation on Friday as the German manufacturer’s power unit echoed through the hills of Montmeló in Barcelona for the first time.
However, those expecting a high-gloss reveal of a finished masterpiece were met with a more mysterious sight: a stripped-back, black machine circulating the Circuit de Catalunya in near-anonymity.
While initial reports suggested that Audi would conduct a proper shakedown of its 2026 R26 contender, exploiting a limited, 200 km filming day, grainy pictures and a video posted on social media led to the belief that the test was focused on engine validation using a modified mule car.
However, F1 regulation forbid teams from running a 2025 car with a 2026 engine. It's therefore likely that Audi did put its new car on track, but fitted with modified elements to mask parts of the new-spec design.
Read also: Audi’s F1 dream comes alive: 2026 power unit roars to lifeRegardless, the outing follows last month’s successful power unit engine fire-up and serves as a crucial bridge to the official launch.
By using a black mule car to shake down the complex electrical and combustion systems now, Audi can troubleshoot integration issues in private.
Both Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto were reportedly on site, sharing the driving duties to get their first taste of the Audi era's torque and delivery.
With the formal R26 launch set for Berlin on January 20, today’s test was likely about ensuring that when the real car finally breaks cover, the heart beating beneath the bodywork is ready for war.
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