Next stop Melbourne

With a total of 2,775.649 km (851 laps) of accumulated drive time, one of the longest pre-season in recent memory has come to an end with the final testing session in Bahrain. The second session at the Sakhir circuit saw Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto add another 357 laps to the team’s overall total, invaluable time in the Audi R26 ahead of the 2026 season opener in Melbourne in just under a fortnight’s time.

“It’s been a long, intense pre-season, a long winter, and the team has shown great dedication and commitment throughout since our first outing at the beginning of January,” said Mattia Binotto, Head of Audi F1 Project at the conclusion of testing in Bahrain.

“We started from a rather challenging position, with a list of areas to improve, and the response has been very strong across all departments … Looking at where we are now, I feel positive as we approach the start of the season.”

The feeling across the entire team is one of great positivity, having achieved so much in such a relatively short period of time. That is was only a matter of weeks ago that the Audi R26 was first unleashed on the track seems hard to comprehend says Audi Revolut F1 Team Principal, Jonathan Wheatley.

“If I look back at 2026 so far, I see an extraordinary level of ambition across the team. Over the winter, we relocated several hundred people following refurbishment of our factory building, signed a roster of new partners, renewed every element of our trackside infrastructure — from pit equipment and panels to pit walls and hospitality — all delivered on schedule,” Wheatley said.

“We also became the first team to run a 2026-specification car, taking to the track in the second week of January after successfully completing all FIA crash tests – an exceptional achievement in itself. Since then, we have launched the team in Berlin, participated in every day of testing and gathered a vast amount of information, not only about the car but about ourselves as a team.

“The mileage we have achieved and the way the organisation has responded to every challenge over the past two months give me great encouragement. There is still a substantial job list heading into the season. We have made strong progress over the past two weeks, but we are under no illusion about the task ahead or the level of competition we will face in Melbourne.

“That said, we are motivated, focused and united. The team spirit across Hinwil, Neuburg and Bicester is of the highest order. We now pack up, regroup and turn our full attention to Melbourne.”

The team now returns to its bases in Hinwil, Neuburg and Bicester to make final preparations before heading to Australia next week to begin preparations for the first race of the season and the Audi Revolut F1 Team’s historic first race in Formula 1. 

“Now we have a week to consolidate all our learnings, do our homework and prepare thoroughly for Melbourne. Then it is finally time to go racing,” says an excited Nico Hulkenberg.

His teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto is likewise chomping at the bit to line up on the grid in Melbourne:

“There are still areas to work on and plenty to learn about it, but overall, it's safe to say it’s been a positive test, and I want to thank everyone in the team, both trackside as well as in Hinwil, Neuburg and Bicester for their support and hard work. Now, the focus shifts to Melbourne: I’m looking forward to getting the season started.”

Action at the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix gets underway on March 6 when the cars take to the Albert Park circuit for free practice. Qualifying follows on Saturday, March 7 with the eagerly anticipated race on Sunday, March 8.