AUDI CONFIRMS FREDDIE SLATER AS FIRST SIGNING OF NEW F1 DRIVER PROGRAMME

Audi F1 has launched a Driver Development Programme, and its first signee is one of the most exciting young prospects in the world, Freddie Slater.

In what Audi calls its ‘first concrete step’ in their blueprint to identify and develop future Formula 1 drivers, Slater represents a marquee signing, as the reigning Formula Regional European champion prepares for his first full Formula 3 season in 2026.

Audi confirms Freddie Slater as first junior driver

Audi has arrived on the grid for F1 2026, following its takeover of the Sauber squad. Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto remain for the transition, as both drivers prepare to front the Audi charge in the German brand’s debut F1 season.

But, Audi is already looking ahead to the future by forming a Driver Development Programme. In its very first signing, Audi has brought in one of the top young talents in the world.

Slater will be targeting an F3 title challenge in 2026, now with Audi behind him. This marks the first time that Slater has affiliated himself with any driver academy.

Slater, the 17-year-old from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, has the Ginetta Junior Winter, Ginetta Junior, UAE Formula 4, Italian Formula 4 and Formula Regional European Championship titles all on his CV.

Slater broke the record previously held by Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli for the most wins in an Italian F4 season. Antonelli won 13, but Slater took 15 race wins in 2024, as well as 11 pole positions.

161 points clear of runner-up Jack Beeton by the end of the season, that was the biggest winning margin ever seen in Italian F4.

Slater followed that up by winning the 2025 FRECA title, and also impressed during his part-time F3 appearances, finishing P2 on debut with AIX Racing in the Bahrain Sprint race.

Set to race full-time in F3 2026 with Trident, Slater has joined forces with Audi as their first F1 development driver.

Reacting to the announcement, Slater said: “It’s an incredible honour to be the first driver selected for the Audi Driver Development Programme.

“Audi is a brand with a legendary motorsport history, and to have their trust and support at this crucial stage of my career is a dream come true.

“Joining forces with a respected team like Trident Motorsport for Formula 3 and having the backing of Audi Revolut F1 Team is a massive opportunity. I am fully focused on working hard and making the most of this pivotal step towards my goal of reaching Formula One.”

Audi Driver Development Programme chief Allan McNish added: “In Freddie, we see the immense potential of a future star.

“His track record is remarkable, but more importantly, he possesses the focus, determination, and willingness to learn that are essential for reaching the pinnacle of our sport.

“He is the ideal candidate to be the first signing of the Audi Driver Development Programme, and we are committed to providing him with the tools, mentorship, and support he needs to succeed as he steps up to Formula 3 with Trident Motorsport.

“This is the first step in building our future on and off the track.”

- Jamie Woodhouse

F1 TEST: MCLAREN HITS TRACK, RED BULL BIDES TIME, ALPINE SHINES AND AUDI RUNS INTO TROUBLE

Lando Norris has taken the new McLaren out on track on Day 3 of the F1 test in Barcelona. Image: McLaren

Lando Norris has hit the track for the first time this week, as McLaren begins its programme on Day 3 of the Formula 1 pre-season test in Barcelona.

The wheel of the MCL40 has been turned in anger for the first time on Wednesday morning by the reigning World Champion, the car sporting a special black livery, as well as the #1.

With the media and data blackout continuing, all information is subject to confirmation, but early reports suggest Norris has been part of a varied strategy by Mercedes to increase the testing of its new powertrains.

The German marque’s works team is thought to be focusing on long runs, with McLaren opting for short runs before pitting.

Mercedes’ newest customer, Alpine, is deploying a similarly long strategy, with Franco Colapinto reportedly setting a 1:19.150, which is thought to be the quickest time of the day so far.

 | Audi is facing real challenges during this shakedown.

They ran 27 laps on Monday before Bortoleto had to retire from a mechanical issue and today Hülkenberg has had to retire the car as well after running into another problem.

pic.twitter.com/fsiW1Irv9d

— deni (@fiagirly) January 28, 2026

Red Bull sits out Day 3 of F1 test as Audi runs halted by Hulkenberg woe

Red Bull has confirmed it will sit out Day 3 after a productive first two days, with Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen completing runs on Tuesday.

It is thought that the Milton Keynes-based squad has not made the decision based on Hadjar’s crash shortly before the chequered flag, with a calculated strategy as to which day it will decide to use as its final one of the week.

Ferrari have also yet to take to the track on Wednesday, after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both managed to get runs in on Tuesday.

Audi appears to have run into trouble, with Hulkenberg’s reported five laps down to a stoppage on track earlier in the morning, his R26 halting at Turns 9 and 10.

It is the second time the car has stopped out on track this week, with Gabriel Bortoleto also having to find a tow truck on Day 1.

Oliver Bearman has also been in the wars, his Haas VF-26 also stopping out on track in the morning, after some positive long runs from the car alreadty completed this week.

- Jack Oliver Smith

PRESENTING THE AUDI REVOLUT F1 TEAM

The Audi Revolut F1 Team has unveiled its official name, logo, and announced that its global launch will take place in Berlin on January 20.

This milestone marks a significant step for Audi toward joining the world championship in 2026, the team name and logo uniting Audi F1 and global fintech Revolut, following the confirmation of their title partnership in July 2025.

The partnership with Revolut is a strategic cornerstone of the team's identity. As a global fintech, Revolut shares the ambition for innovation, performance, and connecting with a diverse, international audience.

The collaboration goes beyond traditional sponsorship, creating a powerful alliance aimed at challenging conventions and shaping new forms of fan engagement through activations, race access and exclusive app-based benefits for Revolut users. The alliance also extends to key areas of the Audi Revolut F1 Team's operations: integrating Revolut Business into its financial operations and Revolut Pay into its online store for a seamless checkout experience.

For the first time, the Audi Revolut F1 Team will present its full identity at the Berlin launch on January 20. Designed to be an immersive experience, the event will showcase the core pillars of the brand: clarity, technical intelligence, and emotion. To ensure the team's entry resonates beyond the paddock, the exclusive launch will be followed by a public opening on January 21, allowing fans to be part of the inaugural moment.

A centrepiece of the Berlin launch is the official unveiling of the car's full 2026 race livery, following the reveal of the Audi R26 Concept in November. With less than 50 days to go before the first race, the team will show how the visual identity will shape its debut season and translate Audi's design principles into a striking presence on the grid.

As part of the formation of the Audi team, Sauber Motorsport AG will be renamed Audi Motorsport AG. The team's Technology Centre in Bicester, UK will also be renamed Audi Motorsport Technology Centre UK. The company honours its past by keeping the name of Sauber Holding AG and Sauber Technologies AG.

"Unveiling the Audi Revolut F1 Team name and logo marks another major milestone on our journey into the pinnacle of motorsport," said Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG. "Both give our ambition a clear identity, reflecting a strong vision and innovative spirit. We now look ahead to Berlin in January, where we will officially present this exciting new chapter for the Audi brand to the world."

"This announcement gives a name and a face to the incredible work being done by the team," added Mattia Binotto. "The team is taking shape, driven by a culture of precision and relentless ambition. The Berlin launch will be the first moment we stand together as a collective and invite our global fan base to join us ahead of our debut in 2026."

"Today, our project takes on its official identity," said Jonathan Wheatley. "The Audi Revolut F1 Team name is a symbol of the combined strength of our teams in Germany, UK and Switzerland, together with our partners. It provides a banner under which we all unite as we build towards 2026. This is a crucial milestone that energizes the entire project and makes our long-term ambition tangible for everyone involved."

"Revolut and Audi are uniting in Formula 1 with a global ambition to challenge the status quo and a shared obsession with engineering excellence," added Nikolay Storonsky, CEO and Co-Founder of Revolut. "The Audi Revolut F1 Team name and logo are the first symbols of this powerful alliance that will accelerate Revolut's global growth."

- Pitpass.com