2026 Australian Grand Prix: Preview

“Melbourne marks the culmination of a huge collective effort. We have launched a new team, built the first Audi F1® car with our own powertrain and then completed one of the most comprehensive pre-season programmes in recent years. We also finished the first stage of the ambitious refurbishment work we have planned in Hinwil. Now, following a busy winter, we arrive at our first Grand Prix as the Audi Revolut F1® Team. There is a great sense of pride in what has been achieved so far, but also an awareness of the challenge ahead. We have a lot of work to do, and a healthy respect for our competitors, but we are making solid progress. This is the start of a long journey, and our focus is on building our team capabilities and executing a clean race weekend.”

It’s been a long journey and a long time coming but now, finally, we’re here: you can sense the buzz with the team, also back at the factories in Hinwil and Neuburg. The amount of work that has gone on behind the scenes has been huge, and now it’s the time to turn that work into action. Albert Park is a unique track, more a street circuit, and I’m not sure it will fully show the potential of all teams: at the same time, it’s a location that can produce chaotic races. It’s the perfect place for the season opener and I am really looking forward to getting back to racing now.”

“Starting a new season is always a great feeling, and this one is obviously special for all of us as we begin our journey as Audi Revolut F1® Team. Pre-season was important to get comfortable with our new car and properly understand how it behaves under the new regulations: we had good mileage, and I feel we’ve used that time well to tick all the boxes in our programme. Now, though, is when things really start to matter. I live for racing and I’m really looking forward to the feeling of a race weekend again. It’s the first race of another long season, my second one in Formula One already, so it will be interesting to face all the circuits again with a better understanding of them: at the same time, the new cars provide a reset for all drivers, no matter the experience - and this could be a good opportunity. Our focus will on building a good rhythm from the start of the weekend and getting the most out of package.”