Jonathan Wheatley says Melbourne marks the start of Audi’s long Formula 1 journey
F1 NewsWednesday, 04 March 2026 at 08:49
Audi Revolut F1 Team arrives in Melbourne this week to begin its first season in Formula 1, marking the long awaited debut of the German manufacturer as a full works entry in the sport.
The opening round of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship at Albert Park represents the culmination of several years of preparation, development and infrastructure investment across Audi’s facilities in Hinwil, Neuburg and Bicester.
A new regulatory era, completely redesigned cars and Audi’s first Formula 1 powertrain combine to make the Australian Grand Prix one of the most anticipated season openers in recent memory.
Following one of the most extensive testing programmes in recent seasons, with thousands of kilometres completed across Barcelona and Bahrain, the team now turns its focus to its maiden race weekend.
Audi Revolut F1 Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley said the Melbourne event represents a significant milestone for the project.
Wheatley: Melbourne culmination of huge effort
Wheatley: “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.”
Away from the circuit, the team is also staging a large fan activation programme across Melbourne. Its off track headquarters at AFLOAT on the Yarra River will serve as a public hub during the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
The initiative forms part of Audi’s effort to establish its presence quickly in the sport and engage fans as the team begins its first Formula 1 campaign.
Hulkenberg: Long journey to reach Formula 1 debut
Nico Hulkenberg will drive car number 27 for the team and said the atmosphere within the organisation reflects the scale of the project finally reaching its competitive debut.
Hulkenberg said: “It’s very exciting to head to Melbourne for the first race of a completely new era and for the debut of Audi Revolut F1 Team.
“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.”
Hulkenberg also noted that Albert Park’s semi street circuit layout could make the season opener unpredictable.
He said: “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.”
Bortoleto: New regulations create fresh opportunity
Gabriel Bortoleto, driving car number 5, begins his second season in Formula 1 as part of the new Audi project and believes the sweeping 2026 regulations reset the competitive picture.
Bortoleto said: “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.”
Bortoleto added that the reset created by the new cars could open opportunities across the grid.
He said: “It’s the first race of another long season, my second one in Formula 1 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.”
While expectations remain measured for the debut race, Audi’s entry represents one of the most significant new factory programmes in modern Formula 1. The Melbourne weekend will therefore mark the beginning of what the team hopes will be a long term journey toward competitiveness in the sport.
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