Barcelona test 2026 day-3: other problems for Audi, Hulkenberg stopped on track

Two days, two stops The difficulties of the Audi team continue in this start-up phase of the 2026 season. The German team, making its debut in F1 after taking over control of Sauber, today saw the R26 driven by Nico Hulkenberg stop on the track in Barcelona. The car was brought back to the pit lane by a tow truck after being covered by a black tarpaulin. This is the second problem in two days of activity on the track for the Rings company, which had already ended the session early on Monday due to a breakdown of the single-seater which in that case had the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto at the wheel. At the moment there is no more detailed information regarding the reasons for the problem Audi had, but there is almost total certainty that it is a technical problem. Now obviously the curiosity will be to understand if and when the R26 will be able to return to the track today and if the nature of the problem will be communicated. It should be remembered that Audi decided to enter F1 using its own power unit, contrary to what Cadillac, which uses a Ferrari engine, chose to do. It cannot therefore be ruled out that there are youth problems with the power unit built in Neuburg.