Report: Audi and Alpine will be the first to test their 2026 cars.
Filming Days at Montmelo
The first run of the new 2026 Formula 1 cars is set to occur sooner than anticipated. Grada3 reports that Audi and Alpine have received FIA approval to commence shakedown testing in Barcelona during the second week of January, well ahead of the scheduled closed-door group test at the end of the month.
According to the Spanish outlet, Audi will kick off the new regulations on January 9, utilizing a filming day at Montmelo to log the initial kilometers on its newly branded works car. Alpine is expected to follow suit on January 11 with the new Mercedes-powered A526, prior to the team's planned launch on January 23.
This early running takes place during the shortest off-season in F1 history, raising significant concerns about the need to validate reliability, energy-management systems, and aerodynamics under the drastically different 2026 regulations. Reports suggest that some teams are even employing private security to avoid long-lens spy shots.
Auto Motor und Sport confirmed these reports, highlighting that Audi has been preparing for months for an early debut, having already tested its new power unit with a completed monocoque before Christmas—a milestone that team boss Jonathan Wheatley claimed he "can’t remember ever doing this early before." However, Alpine denied the January 11 testing date when approached for comment.
In the meantime, Aston Martin-Honda has sought to dispel rumors circulated by former Alpine chief Marcin Budkowski, which suggested that Honda's 2026 power unit was delayed. Both Aston and Honda have confirmed their full participation in the official Barcelona testing period. Honda CEO Koji Watanabe stated, "The complete power unit is already installed in the AMR26 and has been taken to the track for shakedown testing. If all goes well, we will bring that specification to production."
Fernando Alonso also dismissed any talk of delays, confirming he already has his seat fit scheduled and travel arranged for January testing.
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