Report: Audi may debut its first car for the 2026 season this week.

      The team has yet to officially announce a shakedown in Barcelona.

      According to a report from Germany, Audi's brand-new Formula 1 project may take its first tentative steps on the track as soon as Friday. Auto motor und sport states that the German manufacturer has booked the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for January 9, ahead of the initial group test, suggesting the potential for a discreet rollout of its first complete 2026 car. This follows confirmation that the new Audi power unit was successfully started shortly before Christmas at the team's Hinwil facility, marking the first instance of the V6 engine operating within the finished 2026 chassis.

      Although the team has not officially verified a shakedown in Barcelona, reports suggest that the outing would be strictly for functional purposes, with limited mileage, non-race Pirelli tires, and minimal focus on performance data, particularly given the anticipated chilly winter weather. Audi CEO Gernot Dollner recently described the December engine start as a significant milestone for the brand’s entry into F1, while project leader Mattia Binotto mentioned that witnessing the complete package come together had infused "incredible energy" into the program.

      The team is already set to formally reveal its 2026 car in Berlin on January 20, although only a show car livery is anticipated at that time. In an interview with Bild, Hulkenberg encouraged patience regarding expectations for Audi’s debut season.

      "We can only accurately gauge our position during qualifying before the season opener in Melbourne," stated the 38-year-old. "That's when everyone will be performing at their best for the first time. Certainly, expectations for a German factory team will be high, especially in Germany, but we must remain realistic. This is a long-term project, and a lot of work still lies ahead." Hulkenberg further noted that early-season performance would be less significant than Audi’s development trajectory throughout 2026. "What truly matters is where we stand six months later, just before the season finale, in comparison to the other teams," he concluded.