Damon Hill issues verdict on Audi’s 2026 engine after seeing ‘spies’ footage from Barcelona

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Audi became the first Formula 1 team to run a shakedown of their 2026 challenger before pre-season testing, running the car in Barcelona.

The German manufacturer, who will join the grid in 2026 after taking over Sauber, used the Circuit de Catalunya to give their car its first laps before private testing later in the month.

The session was kept secret from the public and the media, but it did not take long for images to emerge of the car, many of which were AI-generated. However, Spanish ‘spies’ noticed Audi ran an all-black livery during the test.

What are your expectations for Audi’s debut F1 season in 2026?

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Furthermore, many began to pick apart different components of the machine as they hoped to catch an early glimpse of what the 2026 F1 regulations will look like and bring to the sport.

Audi ran an ‘extremely basic’ wing concept in Barcelona. The aerodynamics are a key component of the new regulations, which Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto hope will see them propel up the order.

Damon Hill says Audi’s 2026 engine sounds ‘really nice’ after seeing Barcelona footage

Another striking takeaway from the session was the sound of the R26. F1 fans were disappointed after hearing Audi’s engine for the first time, believing it sounded similar to last year’s machines.

However, Damon Hill was left excited by Audi’s engine, saying it was ‘really nice’ from the footage that he had seen from Barcelona.

Speaking about F1’s newcomers, Audi and Cadillac, via Talksport, he said: “OK, so, it’s very exciting. A completely new team with Cadillac. Audi sort of inserted themselves into what was Sauber.

“And so, they’ve been gradually taking that over at that operation, so that operation is pretty much up and running, but it’s going to be very much embellished by the Audi, the influence of them, a big manufacturer coming in.

“So long-awaited to see Audi in. And they’ve already run their car in Barcelona for a couple of laps. It sounded really nice actually. We weren’t allowed to get close, so I only went off of some spies who were around the track with their mobile phones.

“But Cadillac, very exciting to a completely new team and of course an American manufacturer.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about the Audi F1 team from Sauber past to drivers

How are Audi feeling ahead of their debut F1 season in 2026?

Audi’s first season in F1 will certainly be a learning year. Taking over from Sauber, much of the operation is already in place and they have been working on their car and new regulations for some time.

But team principal Jonathan Wheatley says Audi will be at a ‘significant disadvantage’ in 2026 due to Sauber’s lack of investment in recent years. The Swiss outfit were struggling at the back for much of their final years.

Hulkenberg and Bortoleto put in some impressive performances in 2025 and give Audi the perfect balance of experience and young talent for their first season.

The German manufacturer have also set ambitious goals for their time in F1. Audi want to be champions by 2031 at the very least.