PRE-SEASON
Feb 08-10
The F1 season picks up in earnest this week with two back-to-back test sessions in Bahrain – the first from 11-13 February took place this week. We published daily photo galleries as imagery was released from Day 1 and Day 2 of the test. Attached to this final test summary is also the Day 3 gallery (below).
BAHRAIN TEST DAY 1, 2 & 3 RECAP
Sakhir marked the first sustained public running of Audi’s 2026 Formula 1 program, as the Audi Revolut F1 Team wrapped up the opening week of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. Over three days, the team logged 354 laps with the new R26, covering 1,915.85 kilometers as it builds toward its first full campaign under Audi ownership.
Friday’s session was split between Gabriel Bortoleto in the morning and Nico Hülkenberg in the afternoon. Bortoleto completed 60 laps (324.720 km) with a best time of 1:37.536, classified P15. Hülkenberg added 58 laps (313.896 km), setting a 1:36.291 that placed him P10 on the timing sheets.
More important than outright position was mileage. The team averaged more than 600 kilometers per day across the test, an early indication that the R26 package is fundamentally reliable. This follows an initial shakedown in Barcelona two weeks ago, making Bahrain the first true validation of the car in representative conditions.
TEAM QUOTES
Jonathan Wheatley
Team Principal of Audi Revolut F1 Team
“Our three-day test in Bahrain was a productive and encouraging step forward for the team. We completed over 600 kilometres each day, which is a strong indication of the car’s early reliability and a testament to all the hard work and dedication behind the scenes.
“Beyond the mileage, we gathered valuable insights into the behaviour of the car and how our systems are operating under live conditions. Operationally, this test was an important validation of our procedures, and we’ve seen clear progress in communication, execution, and cross-team coordination.
“The next phase is about recovery, refinement and ensuring that we are fully prepared for the remaining test days. There’s still work to be done, but the foundations we’re building now will be critical for the season ahead.”
Nico Hulkenberg, Car #27
“Another solid afternoon and a productive end to the week on my side. There’s been a lot to take in – testing different setups, exploring the car, running through various power unit settings. It’s been full-on, but we’ve gathered a huge amount of info over the three days. Now it’s about taking a few days to digest and analyse everything, piece it all together, and prepare the next steps for the final test”
Gabriel Bortoleto, Car #5
“Overall, it’s been a positive, productive few days of testing for the team. We gathered a great amount of valuable data and learned much more about our car and how to really maximise its potential – something to work on before we hit the track again in a few days. I am looking forward to next week, to bring the whole package together, put in some more strong laps, and finally start turning all the hard work into reality.”
PHOTO GALLERY
