P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Audi got their 2026 F1 season up and running on Monday at the pre-season test in Barcelona.
Gabriel Bortoleto emphasized that Audi is implementing secure measures to address any issues during the Barcelona shakedown before the pre-season test in Bahrain. Bortoleto and Audi commenced their track sessions in Barcelona on Monday, completing the first day of running this week. However, their day was cut short due to an issue that caused Bortoleto to stop on the track, leading to a red flag. Bortoleto mentioned that encountering such teething issues with the new car was expected as they prepare for their debut F1 campaign. Despite the setbacks, Audi aims to establish a strong foundation in the early stages of its F1 venture, focusing on the season-opening race in Australia while targeting a world championship contention by the 2030 season. Bortoleto expressed optimism about resolving current issues to avoid them in future tests and the first race of the year, emphasizing the positive experience of getting acquainted with the new car and regulations during the shakedown. Audi’s goal is to make progress in the following test sessions and provide Bortoleto with more track time to adapt to the car before the upcoming challenges.
