Mattia Binotto has “by no means seen such a protracted record” of jobs forward of the 2026 System 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 power.
So consequently, 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 quite a lot 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 the moment unknown.
“It is quite a lot of work,” Audi’s F1 chief Binotto advised F1 TV on the finish of the Barcelona shakedown. “It is quite a lot of work for your entire group, it is quite a lot 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
Photograph by: Audi
“So, it is actually for us, no stones unturned: all the main points have to be in some way managed and have to be fastened. So we have a really lengthy record, very, very lengthy record, I’ve by no means seen such a protracted record.
“Nevertheless it’s, once more, I feel it is nice as a result of the group is actually dedicated, prepared to enhance and in some way to come back to Bahrain in a greater form.”
Though groups had been in Barcelona for the entire week, they had 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, nevertheless, as Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg had been restricted of their working throughout the opening two days on account of 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 constructive.
“It is nice, we’re all very, very comfortable,” added Binotto, who was beforehand the Ferrari group principal from 2019 to 2022. “It is a improbable undertaking, as all of us consider, we’re all dedicated – however we all know as nicely that there’s a lot to construct, loads to develop.
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Workforce
Photograph by: Audi
“These three days of working have been very, essential. I feel we’re doing nicely in some way for the place we’re in our journey. The reliability is at all times very vital, however we had a number of issues, small ones, not dramatic, and I feel right here once more there’s quite a lot of positives.”
These sentiments had 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 group 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 parts, and on the PU facet, it is essential for us to get that form of mileage.
“Many classes there once more that we’ll clearly analyse. So yeah, quite a lot of information to digest and replicate on after which clearly regroup and go once more in Bahrain.
“All in all, constructive week. We’re clearly simply originally – many, many findings and learnings daily as we go, nevertheless it’s been good.”
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