F1 team may have to ‘postpone’ first 2026 car test over Mercedes engine complication

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Audi became the first Formula 1 team to hit the track with their 2026 car on Friday. The newcomers completed a shakedown in Barcelona.

Audi ran an all-black livery for the test in Spain and have deliberately obscured details about the car in their promotional photos. More importantly, reports suggest that they completed the landmark test without an issue.

Under F1 rules, teams are allowed two filming days per year, with mileage capped at 200km. Ferrari and Williams are also expected to take advantage of this mechanism prior to the first pre-season test.

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Most teams won’t be in action until 26 January when the paddock reconvenes at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix venue.

Alpine haven’t received the ‘information’ they need from Mercedes

According to Campeones, Alpine were another team who had plans to hold a shakedown. While they aren’t debutants like Audi, they are integrating a new power unit this year.

After shutting down their F1 engine operation, they have become a Mercedes customer. The A526’s first outing was scheduled to take place in Barcelona in ‘the coming days’, but may now have to be ‘postponed’.

Surprisingly, Alpine still haven’t received ‘useful information’ from Mercedes regarding the power unit, which has forced them to put plans on hold.

While this isn’t a major setback, it could prevent Alpine from detecting issues with the integration of their power unit before the start of testing. That, in turn, may impact their mileage and data-gathering.

It also makes for a difficult start to their relationship with Mercedes, though they should be able to iron out the issues.

Toto Wolff has explained why Alpine could become a threat to Mercedes

Alpine have already fired up the Mercedes engine at their base but nothing can compare to track running.

Flavio Briatore will quickly forgive Toto Wolff for any pre-season inconvenience if Mercedes power vaults Alpine up the grid. Partly due to their overarching focus on 2026, the Enstone outfit finished bottom of the standings last year.

Wolff is wary that Alpine could become a threat with equal horsepower, particularly as their poor performance last year will afford them extra wind tunnel time.

Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner has been strongly linked with Alpine this winter, though there are fears that his famously poor relationship with Wolff could scupper his investment plans.