Mattia Binotto has “by no means seen such an extended checklist” of jobs forward of the 2026 System 1 season as he prepares for its maiden marketing campaign within the championship.
The German marque will lastly make its a lot anticipated F1 debut this yr after finishing a full takeover of the historic Sauber squad forward of the introduction of recent rules within the collection.
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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 power.
So because of this, F1 added extra pre-season take a look at dates beginning with a Barcelona shakedown (26-30 January), earlier than two three-day exams in Bahrain (11-13 and 18-20 February) forward of the Melbourne opener on 6-8 March.
That may look like 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 presently unknown.
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“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 your entire crew, it is lots of work for the drivers, for the engineers again at residence – fixing all the issues, design, operationals, no matter we have now seen.
Mattia Binotto, Audi
Mattia Binotto, Audi
“So, it is actually for us, no stones unturned: all the main points should be someway managed and should be fastened. So we have got a really lengthy checklist, very, very lengthy checklist, I’ve by no means seen such an extended checklist.
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“But it surely’s, once more, I feel it is nice as a result of the crew is absolutely dedicated, prepared to enhance and someway 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 – overlaying a complete 243 laps in that point.
It didn’t begin easily, nonetheless, as and have been restricted of their working throughout the opening two days as a result of technical points – understood to be energy unit associated – on the R26.
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However then Friday noticed huge enhancements: the squad accomplished 148 laps to present it a decent mileage whole for the week and allowed it to finish the shakedown feeling optimistic.
“It is nice, we’re all very, very pleased,” added Binotto, who was beforehand the crew principal from 2019 to 2022. “It is a unbelievable mission, as all of us consider, we’re all dedicated – however we all know as nicely that there’s a lot to construct, so much to develop.
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Group
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Group
“These three days of working have been very, essential. I feel we’re doing nicely someway for the place we’re in our journey. The reliability is at all times very crucial, however we had a number of issues, small ones, not dramatic, and I feel right here once more there may be lots of positives.”
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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 crew 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 facet, it is vital for us to get that form of mileage.
“Many classes there once more that we’ll clearly analyse. So yeah, lots of data to digest and mirror on after which clearly regroup and go once more in Bahrain.
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“All in all, optimistic week. We’re clearly simply at the start – many, many findings and learnings day-to-day as we go, nevertheless it’s been good.”
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