The Audi Revolut F1 Team has reached a symbolic moment in its Formula 1 journey: the first successful fire-up of its 2026 car. Completed on December 19, 2025 at the team’s Hinwil base in Switzerland, the milestone marks the first time Audi’s all-new power unit has been run while installed in the 2026 chassis.
The fire-up represents a validation point that confirms the marriage of power unit, electronics, cooling systems, and chassis architecture is functioning as intended. It’s also evidence of the level of collaboration now on display between the team’s powertrain headquarters in Neuburg an der Donau, the Sauber-based chassis operation in Hinwil, and the team’s growing technical footprint in Bicester, UK.
Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of Audi Motorsport AG, described the fire-up as a defining step in Audi’s broader transformation. Calling Formula 1 a cornerstone of the brand’s renewal, Döllner emphasized that the milestone reflects Audi’s long-standing “Vorsprung durch Technik” philosophy, driven by cross-disciplinary teamwork and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence.
Mattia Binotto, Head of the Audi F1 Project, framed the moment as the beginning of a new chapter—one that brings renewed momentum after years of groundwork. According to Binotto, seeing the power unit and chassis come together for the first time injects fresh energy into a long-term program defined by continuous improvement.
Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley echoed that sentiment, highlighting the fire-up as a proof point for the team’s processes and collaboration. With the initial systems check complete, focus now shifts toward upcoming development phases, including the first on-track running and the countdown to Audi’s inaugural race appearance at the Formula 1 World Championship opener in Melbourne.
This all sets the stage for a busy January. Audi will formally unveil its Formula 1 identity at a global launch event in Berlin on January 20, 2026, where the team’s finalized race livery and visual direction will be revealed ahead of the first collective test session in Barcelona later that month.
Beyond the car itself, Audi is also laying the groundwork for how it tells its Formula 1 story. Coinciding with the Berlin launch, the Audi Revolut F1 Team will debut a new Content Hub designed as a centralized platform for news, insights, and race-weekend updates.
Let’s go.