Audi Revolut F1 Team Completes First Fire-Up of 2026 Formula 1 Car

Ingolstadt/Hinwil | January 7, 2026: The Audi Revolut F1 Team has successfully completed the inaugural fire-up of its 2026 Formula 1 car, marking a major milestone in Audi’s journey towards the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The historic moment took place at the team’s Hinwil facility on December 19, 2025, and represents the first time the Audi Power Unit has been run while fully integrated into the chassis.

The successful fire-up signals the project’s transition from design and development into dynamic reality, bringing Audi’s long-anticipated Formula 1 programme to life.

Major Technical Milestone for Audi’s F1 Project

A fire-up is a critical checkpoint in any Formula 1 programme, validating years of engineering work and confirming the successful integration of core systems. For Audi, the achievement reflects close collaboration between its powertrain division in Neuburg, Germany, the chassis team in Hinwil, Switzerland, and the newly established Technical Centre in Bicester, UK.

The moment marked an emotional milestone for the project, symbolising the culmination of efforts from hundreds of engineers and specialists working across multiple locations.

Building the Foundation for the 2026 Regulation Era

The successful operation of the integrated power unit establishes a strong technical baseline as Audi continues preparations for the major Formula 1 regulation changes coming into effect in 2026. The fire-up underlines the precision, reliability and determination underpinning the Audi F1 programme as it advances toward on-track testing.

Leadership Reactions

Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of Audi Motorsport AG, 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. 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.”

Mattia Binotto, Head of the Audi F1 Project, added:

“A fire-up is always a special moment, but this one marks a new beginning. 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.”

Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal of the Audi Revolut F1 Team, commented:

“This successful fire-up is a critical milestone that validates the quality of the work and collaboration across all departments. It brings our first race in Melbourne into sharp focus as we prepare for the next phases of development.”

What’s Next for Audi Revolut F1 Team

With the fire-up completed, the Audi Revolut F1 Team continues intensive preparations for its debut season. The next major milestone will be the team’s global launch event in Berlin on January 20, 2026, where the official race livery and on-track identity will be revealed.

This will be followed by the first collective Formula 1 test session in Barcelona later in January, as Audi accelerates its build-up to its first race appearance in Melbourne.