Audi has become the first Formula 1 team to test its 2026 car on track, highlighting a more aggressive engine noise that could improve the fan experience. Team principal Jonathan Wheatley described the sound as 'really good' during the launch event in Berlin. Drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg also shared positive initial impressions of the new power units.
Audi unveiled its 2026 Formula 1 challenger, the R26, at a launch event in Berlin, marking the team's entry into the sport as a full works outfit. The occasion provided the first on-track insights into the new power units set to debut next season, which feature a near-50:50 split between internal combustion engine and electrical power. This shift increases reliance on electric energy compared to the current hybrid era, which faced criticism from drivers and fans for its subdued engine noise.
During a shakedown test, Audi captured the sound of its V6 engine, sans the MGU-H component that previously recovered energy from exhaust heat. The removal of this part, which influences exhaust acoustics, appears to contribute to a bolder tone. Team principal Jonathan Wheatley expressed enthusiasm to reporters: “One thing I would say that was evident from our shakedown... the engine sounds really good. This generation of engine... sounds more aggressive.”
Driver Gabriel Bortoleto, the Brazilian rookie, felt an emotional connection upon firing up the car: “It feels nicer than last year, for sure. When you are driving, you are focusing on driving, but definitely when I turned on the car and I left the garage, it felt like, I definitely got emotional there. I was like, ‘Oh, that's an incredible moment, this is going to be history’.”
His teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, noted a difference but reserved full judgment: the new power units sounded “a bit different,” and he awaited more extensive testing. Audi joins Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, and Red Bull-Ford as one of five power unit suppliers for 2026. Teasers from other manufacturers, including Ferrari's on-track run at Silverstone via Cadillac, suggest a broader improvement in engine audibility across the grid.