Audi F1 technical boss James Key says team on target in Barcelona test despite stoppages

Let's be honest, Sauber weren't the sharpest of teams, and while the arrival of Jonathan Wheatley has whipped them into shape somehow, especially in terms of operations and race executions.

But the elephant in the house remains Audi's power unit which for now doesn't appear to be reliable while Red Bull, on the other hand, also new power unit manufacturers have fared way better the Ingolstadt marque who has former Ferrari boss and engine guru, Mattia Binotto at the helm of the project.

Audi has caused two Red Flags over the course of the two days they ran and managed only 27 laps on Day 1.

However, James Key, Audi's tech boss downplayed the gravity of the situation and when asked if Audi met their test targets, he said: "The really important stuff, yes.

"What we really needed to do is just get laps on the car," Key pointed out. "Our colleagues at Neuburg on the power unit side have got no track reference data at all; this is the first time they are actually going to get track data for their power unit and gearbox.

“So I think really it’s a case of doing that and beginning to tune all these complex energy recovery strategies and all the various other things that go with the ’26 car.

"So, at the moment on that basis, I think we’re on target," the engineer said. "Of course, the list is never ending about what you want to do.

"Provided we can have a good third day, I think we will come away pretty pleased," he concluded. (Source: F1 TV)