Audi F1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto said he felt goosebumps as the brand\u2019s first Formula 1 power unit was fired up ahead of the F1 2026 season.<\/p>\n
Team staff and both drivers, Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, gathered at Audi F1\u2019s base for a vital moment, with the power unit and chassis firing up as planned ahead of the new season.<\/p>\n
Audi F1 fire-up gave \u2018goosebumps\u2019 ahead of new era<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Audi has been working on its Formula 1 power unit at its Neuburg base in Germany, which, now the team has completed its full takeover of Sauber, combines with its Swiss operation based in Hinwil.<\/p>\n The power unit was brought together with the car\u2019s chassis, named the R26, to complete a first fire-up \u2013 an important moment in development of a new car \u2013 which the team revealed was successful.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen they were revving up the engine I was getting goosebumps everywhere, I just want to drive it,\u201d Bortoleto said in a clip posted on Audi\u2019s social media pages.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t feel like I can describe [it] very easily, it sounds amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n With the fire-up is now complete, Audi will take its first-ever Formula 1 car to complete a filming day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya today [9 January], becoming the first team to run F1 2026 machinery<\/a> in the process.<\/p>\n F1 2026: Formula 1\u2019s season of change<\/p>\n F1 2025 v F1 2026: Nine key questions ahead of huge regulation changes<\/a><\/p>\n F1\u2019s secret battleground revealed amid preparations for 2026 revolution<\/a><\/p>\n This will represent the opportunity to not just gather footage of the car, but check that the key components work as planned with up to 200km of running permitted, around two-thirds of a race distance.<\/p>\n Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley said that, while the team is feeling the positives of reaching a landmark in car development, there is also the knowledge that the season itself is coming into view \u2013 and soon.<\/p>\n \u201cThis successful fire-up is a critical milestone that validates the quality of the work and collaboration across all departments,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt energises 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis achievement brings our first race in Melbourne into sharp focus, and we will build on this foundation as one united team.\u201d<\/p>\n Audi will unveil the livery of the R26 at a launch in Berlin on 20 January, six days before pre-season testing begins in Barcelona.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n