Alpine and Audi to start pre-season ahead of time

Filming day for Audi

This publication has learned which teams will be taking to the Circuit de France track during the second week of January, two weeks before the official tests that will include the entire grid. Audi and Alpine will unofficially kick off the 2026 season . They will do so on January 9th and 11th to test the new cars and ensure everything is in order after the first few kilometers. It is possible , however, that more teams will request permission and also run in the days leading up to the first tests scheduled for the end of the month.

Total security is expected to prevent any photos or videos from fans during those days, the first time Franco Colapinto will drive his new A526 , which will be powered by a Mercedes engine. The 11th fits perfectly into Alpine's schedule . The French team announced a few days ago that it will unveil the livery of Colapinto and Pierre Gasly's new car on January 23rd in Barcelona. They will therefore spend almost the entire month in Barcelona and from there will travel with the rest of the grid to Bahrain to test from March 11th to 13th and from March 18th to 20th.

Audi, by the way, will make its debut in the second week of January under its new name , leaving behind the history it has forged under the name 'Sauber'. It will be a filming day on the 9th, which will allow them to gather much-needed data for the season . They may even run on more days, as spending as much track time as possible will be invaluable for launching their new project, which has recently incorporated a significant number of Red Bull personnel. There is faith, in the long term, in their Formula 1 aspirations. The season will kick off, with Alpine also on track, on January 9th.