The 2026 Formula 1 World Championship season begins this weekend, between March 5 and 8, in Melbourne, marking Audi’s official debut on the grid. The opening, which takes place at the Albert Park Circuit, generates great expectation in the German team, which debuts in a bold way, with its own engine.
Read more F1: McLaren analyzes tests and expectations for the start of the season
During pre-season testing, Audi showed difficulties with the power unit. Despite this, unlike Aston Martin, the German team showed evolution, especially in the third week of testing, held in Bahrain, and proved ready for its first race with drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Jonathan Wheatley, team principal, highlighted the significance of the moment:
“Melbourne represents the culmination of an enormous collective effort. We launched a new team, built Audi’s first F1 car with our own powertrain, and then completed one of the most comprehensive pre-season programs in recent years. We also completed the first phase of the ambitious renovation work we planned in Hinwil. Now, after an intense winter, we arrive at our first Grand Prix as Audi. There is a great sense of pride in what has been achieved so far, but also an awareness of the challenge ahead. We have a lot of work to do and a healthy respect for our competitors, but we are making solid progress. This is the start of a long journey, and our focus is on building our team’s capabilities and executing a clean race weekend.”
Read more F1: Get to know the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, host of the 2026 Australian GP
Hülkenberg also looked ahead to the debut: “It’s very exciting to go to Melbourne for the first race of a completely new era and for Audi’s debut. It’s been a long journey and it took a while to get here, but now, finally, we are here: you can feel the excitement in the team, also back at the factories in Hinwil and Neuburg. The amount of work that has happened behind the scenes has been enormous, and now is the time to turn that work into action. Albert Park is a unique track, more of a street circuit, and I’m not sure if it will fully show the potential of all the teams: at the same time, it’s a venue that can produce chaotic races. It’s the perfect place for the season opener and I’m really looking forward to getting back to racing now.”
With the start in Melbourne, Audi officially begins its Formula 1 project, led by Mattia Binotto.
Read more F1: Lawson points to battery management as the biggest challenge of 2026
