Audi grew to become the primary Method 1 staff to check its 2026 challenger on observe, and within the course of shared a primary glimpse of the approaching noise that can soundtrack grands prix this season. Now, staff boss Jonathan Wheatley hailed the brand new engine observe of the automobiles as “actually good”.
For 2026, F1 will roll out new energy items that use a near-50:50 break up in energy developed by the interior combustion engine and {the electrical} elements. This marks a rise in reliance on electrical power from the final era of hybrid automobiles, which have been slammed by drivers and followers for the sound they made whereas racing.
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Members of the Audi staff have now spoken out concerning the enchancment in engine noise that followers can count on in 2026 throughout a launch occasion for its first F1 racer – the R26.
“One factor I might say that was evident from our shakedown, and possibly it is only a one-off, however the engine sounds actually good,” Wheatley informed reporters at Audi’s 2026 season launch occasion.
“You understand, this era of engine, and I’ve seen a little bit of Instagram stuff of different groups, I do not know in the event you’ve seen, however the engine sounds extra aggressive.”
Audi F1 Group R26 livery
Photograph by: Audi
One facet that would affect the noise made by engines in F1 2026 is the removing of the MGU-H, which generated electrical power from the warmth in exhaust gasses as they have been expelled from the ability unit. Because the exhaust techniques have a big effect on the sound of a automobile, this might clarify the change, as F1 will nonetheless use V6 inner combustion engine items.
No matter has prompted the change in tone, Audi racer Gabriel Bortoleto can also be a fan of the brand new noise coming from the rear of his automobile.
“It feels nicer than final 12 months, for positive,” the Brazilian racer stated on the Audi launch in Berlin. “If you find yourself driving, you’re specializing in driving, however undoubtedly after I turned on the automobile and I left the storage, it felt like, I undoubtedly obtained emotional there. I used to be like, ‘Oh, that is an unimaginable second, that is going to be historical past’.”
Group-mate Nico Hulkenberg echoed that the brand new energy items sounded “a bit completely different”, however shunned sharing his full judgement of the engines till he had clocked up some extra critical miles.
Audi can be considered one of 5 energy unit producers on the grid in 2026, alongside Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and the newly-launched Purple Bull-Ford enterprise.
Ferrari, Honda and Mercedes all shared teasers of their new engine sounds when the ability items have been fired up within the manufacturing facility, whereas Cadillac’s latest shakedown check at Silverstone supplied a glimpse of the Ferrari engine working on observe.
Images from Audi launch
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Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
Audi launch, in photographs
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