Mattia Binotto has “by no means seen such an extended checklist” of jobs forward of the 2026 Formulation 1 season as he prepares Audi for its maiden marketing campaign within the championship.
The German marque will lastly make its a lot anticipated F1 debut this 12 months after finishing a full takeover of the historic Sauber squad forward of the introduction of latest laws within the collection.
It’s arguably the largest guidelines change within the championship’s historical past with alterations to each the chassis, 32kg lighter with a lot much less downforce, and energy unit, extra reliant on electrical vitality.
So in consequence, F1 added extra pre-season check dates beginning with a Barcelona shakedown (26-30 January), earlier than two three-day checks in Bahrain (11-13 and 18-20 February) forward of the Melbourne opener on 6-8 March.
That may appear to be lots of testing, however given the wholesale shake-up it actually is not, particularly when one considers how a lot preparation is required for the brand new season for which the pecking order is at present unknown.
“It is lots of work,” Audi’s F1 chief Binotto informed F1 TV on the finish of the Barcelona shakedown. “It is lots of work for all the workforce, it is lots of work for the drivers, for the engineers again at house – fixing all the issues, design, operationals, no matter we’ve seen.
Mattia Binotto, Audi
Picture by: Audi
“So, it is actually for us, no stones unturned: all the main points have to be one way or the other managed and have to be fastened. So we have a really lengthy checklist, very, very lengthy checklist, I’ve by no means seen such an extended checklist.
“However it’s, once more, I feel it is nice as a result of the workforce is basically dedicated, keen to enhance and one way or the other to come back to Bahrain in a greater form.”
Though groups have been in Barcelona for the entire week, they have been solely allowed to check on three of these days with Audi choosing the Monday, Wednesday and Friday – masking a complete 243 laps in that point.
It didn’t begin easily, nevertheless, as Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg have been restricted of their operating throughout the opening two days attributable to technical points – understood to be energy unit associated – on the R26.
However then Friday noticed huge enhancements: the squad accomplished 148 laps to present it a decent mileage complete for the week and allowed it to finish the shakedown feeling optimistic.
“It is nice, we’re all very, very completely happy,” added Binotto, who was beforehand the Ferrari workforce principal from 2019 to 2022. “It is a incredible mission, as all of us imagine, we’re all dedicated – however we all know as effectively that there’s a lot to construct, lots to develop.
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Group
Picture by: Audi
“These three days of operating have been very, essential. I feel we’re doing effectively one way or the other for the place we’re in our journey. The reliability is at all times very essential, however we had a number of issues, small ones, not dramatic, and I feel right here once more there may be lots of positives.”
These sentiments have been echoed by Hulkenberg, because the veteran of 250 grand prix begins labelled Friday as “our greatest day right here this week” with it displaying how the workforce can bounce again from disappointment.
“Greater than 140 laps,” the German added to F1 TV. “Some good mileage for the automotive and for all of the elements, and on the PU aspect, it is vital for us to get that type of mileage.
“Many classes there once more that we’ll clearly analyse. So yeah, lots of information to digest and mirror on after which clearly regroup and go once more in Bahrain.
“All in all, optimistic week. We’re clearly simply firstly – many, many findings and learnings daily as we go, however it’s been good.”
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