Audi Revolut F1 Team has successfully completed the inaugural fire up of its 2026 Formula 1 car, marking a major technical milestone ahead of its debut season in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
The event took place on December 19, 2025, at the team’s Hinwil facility and represented the first time the Audi power unit was run while installed in the chassis.
The fire up marked the transition of the Audi Formula 1 project from design and simulation into dynamic operation.
It validated the integration of the power unit and chassis after years of development work and confirmed that the core systems functioned together as intended.
For the project, it was a defining moment that brought the car to life for the first time.
A milestone achieved
The milestone was the result of close collaboration between Audi’s powertrain operation in Neuburg, the chassis team in Hinwil, and the Technical Centre in Bicester.
Hundreds of engineers and specialists across all locations contributed to reaching this checkpoint, which establishes the baseline for the next phase of development under the 2026 technical regulations.
Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi AG and Chairman of the Board of Audi Motorsport AG, described the fire up as a defining step for the brand’s Formula 1 ambitions and said: “For Audi, entering Formula 1 is a key part of our brand’s ongoing renewal.
“This milestone is a clear demonstration of our Vorsprung durch Technik ambition.
“It is the result of seamless teamwork and a relentless pursuit of excellence that will serve as a guiding example for the entire Audi organization.
“This project is a catalyst for change, fostering pride, identity, and enthusiasm. With the fire up, the hard work of the teams in Hinwil, Neuburg and Bicester now truly comes to life, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Audi’s motorsport history.”
A special moment
Head of the Audi F1 Project Mattia Binotto underlined the symbolic importance of the moment while stressing the long term nature of the task ahead.
He added: “A fire up is always a special moment, but this one marks a new beginning.
“It is the tangible result of our collective ambition and the dedicated work of our teams in Neuburg and Hinwil.
“Seeing everything come together for the first time gives the entire project incredible energy.
“We have built a solid foundation for what will be a long journey, defined by our relentless drive to improve,” Binotto concluded.
Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley framed the achievement in terms of operational readiness and momentum.
He commented: “This successful fire up is a critical milestone that validates the quality of the work and collaboration across all departments.
“It energizes the entire team and provides a clear focus as we prepare for the next phases of development, including the moment we first bring the car to track.
“This achievement brings our first race in Melbourne into sharp focus, and we will build on this foundation as one united team,” Wheatley explained.
With the fire up completed, the Audi Revolut F1 Team now turns its attention to the next major steps in its preparation programme.The team will officially present its full race livery and on track identity at a global launch event in Berlin on January 20, 2026, ahead of the first collective test session in Barcelona later that month.