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Audi is to roll out its maiden F1 challenger early, RacingNews365 can confirm.

The German manufacturing giant is to conduct a shakedown of its 2026 car at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya on Friday.

Audi confirmed earlier on Wednesday that it had successfully fired up its power unit, in tandem with a chassis, for the first time at the team's Hinwil headquarters in Switzerland on December 19.

That car is now set for its first laps on track at the renowned Spanish venue, albeit nothing more than a functional runout, via one of two filming days allowed per team per season.

Such an exercise will prove wholly beneficial given the wholesale changes to the regulations for this season, with the cars running on a 50-50 split of combustion and electrical power, and 100% sustainable fuel. There are also active aerodynamics to contend with.

As per the regulations, Audi will be allowed up to 200 kilometres [125 miles] of 'testing', which equates to 42 laps, and on special Pirelli tyres in stark contrast to those used for a grand prix.

The car will then make its official on-track debut at the first of three pre-season tests from January 26-30, again in Barcelona.

In between, Audi is planning a launch in Berlin on January 20.

You can hear the Audi fire up below!

Also interesting:

The 2026 F1 Cars Revealed: Everything You Need to Know!

Discover how the 2026 F1 regulations will revolutionise the sport, with a shift to movable wings instead of traditional DRS, to the increased electrical power in the hybrid systems, and the introduction of 100% sustainable fuel.

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