Audi’s first day of driving within the first F1 pre-season take a look at of 2026 didn’t go fully to plan.
F1’s behind-closed-doors shakedown take a look at started in Barcelona on Monday, with the previous Sauber staff finishing the fewest laps of all groups.
Gabriel Bortleto accomplished 27 laps across the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit earlier than his R26 reportedly stopped on account of a technical drawback late within the morning session, triggering a pink flag.
An unspecified technical subject ended Audi’s day prematurely, because the German producer, which additionally makes its personal energy items according to F1’s new guidelines, had no recurrence within the afternoon.
“Within the morning, we have been doing a fairly respectable job, getting some labs on board and testing some issues. We’re shifting in the suitable course,” Bolotret defined.
“However as everybody expects, this can be a shakedown and something can occur and also you anticipate finding issues right here and there with the automotive. And sadly, we discovered some issues already within the morning that can mainly finish us for the day. So we did not run a lot at the moment.”
“This sort of factor was anticipated. We’re discovering out all the things now, however hopefully we cannot discover it within the subsequent take a look at or the primary race of the yr.”
“Total, I used to be optimistic after I was operating and it was good to get just a few laps (laps) with the brand new automotive, new laws, energy unit and all the things. So I hope I can get just a few extra laps after I drive the following day.”
Talking about his cease, the Brazilian, who’s competing in his twelfth season in System 1 this yr, added: “At this time’s cease on the observe, as I stated, was additionally a precautionary measure. And we determined to not run till we understood all the things fully and determined to get the automotive again on observe and do a transparent run.”
Audi remained mum in regards to the actual nature of the issue, with staff principal Jonathan Wheatley saying: “There was a technical drawback with the automotive. We found it and determined to change the automotive off on observe.
“There are numerous assessments this yr and we have been analyzing them fastidiously as a result of we need to actually perceive the questions.”
Audi is one among a number of groups who’ve chosen not to participate in Tuesday’s session. Every staff will be capable to run the brand new 2026 Challenger on three of the 5 days of their alternative.
