Audi F1 Team Finishes 7th in Bahrain Testing: Can German Manufacturer Close Gap to Leaders?

Audi Revolut F1 Team concluded the first week of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit with the seventh-fastest lap time among 11 teams. The team's R26 car recorded a best lap of 1m36.291s through Nico Hulkenberg, placing them 2.622 seconds behind pace-setters Mercedes. 

Gabriel Bortoleto set a lap time of 1m36.670s, finishing 14th among all drivers, whilst Hulkenberg placed 11th in the individual rankings. The German manufacturer completed 354 laps over three days, covering 1,915.85 kilometres at the Sakhir circuit.​

Mercedes dominated the test with Kimi Antonelli posting the fastest time of 1m33.669s. Ferrari secured second position with a 0.540-second deficit, followed by McLaren at 0.880 seconds. Red Bull, Haas, and Alpine occupied fourth through sixth positions respectively. 

Audi finished fifth in total lap count among the 11 teams. Williams and McLaren led the mileage charts with 422 laps each, followed by Ferrari with 421 laps. Haas completed 390 laps, whilst Red Bull managed 343 laps.           

The team's lap count exceeded those of Racing Bulls (327 laps), Cadillac (320 laps), Alpine (318 laps), Mercedes (282 laps), and Aston Martin (206 laps). 

Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley stated the three-day test was a step forward for the squad. The team completed over 600 kilometres each day, indicating reliability of the R26 car during its debut testing phase. Audi gathered data on car behaviour and systems under live conditions at Bahrain. 

The second pre-season test begins on February 18 at the same circuit, giving teams three additional days before the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8.