Lando Norris
McLaren
Mercedes
Red Bull
Ferrari
Williams
Racing Bulls
Aston Martin
Haas
Alpine
Audi are looking to get more mileage under their belt as they roll out for pre-season testing in Bahrain.
The German manufacturer join the grid as a new team, taking over from Sauber in 2026. They have been working tirelessly behind the scenes on the new regulations for years, and Audi were the first to run their 2026 car on track in a shakedown in Barcelona.
Naturally, many people will be watching the newcomers to see how they match up against their rivals. So far, early indications are not looking good for Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Can Audi go all the way by 2030? 🏆
Audi struggled in the Barcelona shakedown with just 204 laps across the test, the fourth-lowest of the teams. Of course, it is early days, but the team have admitted that they are on the back foot.
Mattia Binotto said Audi’s first shakedown was unsuccessful and that they were not ready after rolling out the R26. They will be looking to turn things around in Bahrain, however, and they have already caught attention with a striking new concept.
Fans compare Audi’s 2026 car to Alain Prost’s iconic Ferraris with their Bahrain sidepods
With Barcelona being a shakedown, many teams were probably hiding components and secrets from their rivals. The Bahrain test is certain to see the 11 outfits try out new concepts, and that is exactly what Audi are doing.
Pictures have emerged on Reddit of Bortoleto driving the R26 at Sakhir. Audi appear to be testing a new sidepod design, which has already been likened to a ‘zeropod’ design that Mercedes had used back in 2022.
Many have also compared it to Alain Prost’s Ferraris from 1990 to 1991 with its aggressive sidepod design, which looked to achieve maximum aerodynamic efficiency. “Welcome back, Ferrari 640,” said one user, while another said: “Shades of the Ferrari 641.”
Instant reaction to Audi’s first livery?
“So, this is Audi’s attempt at keeping outwash in the game,” commented one fan, referring to how teams try to push turbulent air away from the car. A user pointed out to them that: “It worked for Ferrari from 89 to 91.”
One fan likened it to an old McLaren design: “Those sort of resemble the MP 4/8 (1993 McLaren) sidepods.” Another replied to the comment, saying: “It’s even closer to the 89 to 91 Ferraris.”
Another fan even compared it to Michael Schumacher’s first Ferrari: “Welcome back 1996 Ferrari.” But someone pointed out how it’s more similar to Prost’s cars: “You mean 1989-91. Vertical inlet tucked into the body with a wide, round sidepod is something from John Barnard’s 640/1/2.”
Finally, one user called for: “Someone bring back the Ferrari bathtubs. Those things were beautiful,” referring to the Maranello outfit’s design back in 2022. Also known as a ‘goldfish bowl’ design, the sculpted sidepods were another radical attempt to manage airflow.
READ MORE: All you need to know about the Audi F1 team from Sauber past to drivers
Audi’s ‘refined’ 2026 sidepods likened to Mercedes’ unsuccessful ‘zeropod’ design
A report from The Race has taken a closer look at Bortoleto’s Audi in Bahrain. The German manufacturer have gone for a ‘smaller and more vertical’ inlet, rather than the horizontal design seen in Barcelona.
It is similar to the concept Mercedes used back in 2022. Dubbed ‘zeropods’, the design is now infamous among F1 fans, given how much Lewis Hamilton and George Russell complained about it throughout the season.
First impressions of Audi’s new sidepod concept? 🤔
The difference with Audi’s concept, however, is that they have kept the sidepod bodywork on the car. Furthermore, the R26 has a ‘more aggressively shaped upper surface’, which hopes to create the downwash effect.
The ‘refined’ version of the sidepod is certainly striking. Fans and experts probably will not see its true effects until the first race of the season in Melbourne, but Audi are being bold with their first F1 car.
Receive exclusive F1 news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
