‘Went off some spies’ – Damon Hill reveals first reaction as Audi complete first 2026 F1 car test

Damon Hill has claimed Formula 1 2026 could signal a complete change of the guard as he revealed his reaction to Audi’s first test.

The Brit told talkSPORT that Adrian Newey’s ability to ‘master’ new regulations could spring a ‘complete surprise’ with Aston Martin.

AFP

The 1996 F1 world champion joined Breakfast, where he discussed all the key motorsport talking points ahead of the new season.

The first of which centred around the two new teams on the 2026 grid, with Audi, having transitioned from Kick Sauber, giving their new car its debut track run at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Audi completes first 2026 F1 car test

“It’s very exciting,” Hill told talkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist. “A completely new team with Cadillac.

“Audi sort of inserted themselves into what was Sauber, and so they’ve been gradually taking that over at that operation.

“So that operation is pretty much up and running, but it’s going to be very much embellished by the Audi, the influence of them, a big manufacturer coming in, so long-awaited to see Audi in, and they’ve already run their car in Barcelona for a couple of laps.

“It sounded really nice, actually.

“We weren’t allowed to get close – only went off of some spies who were around the track with their mobile phones.

“But, Cadillac, very exciting to a completely new team. And of course, an American manufacturer.”

Hill admitted that the excitement around the new regulations means all bets are off around Lando Norris defending his title.

F1's radical 2026 rule changes

Audi and Cadillac will be joining the grid due to these new regulations

• More agile cars, which are 30kg lighter and thus better able to battle on track
• A redesigned power unit featuring increased battery power and an even split between internal combustion engine and electric power plus the use of 100% sustainable fuels
• Active aerodynamics in the form of moveable front and rear wings to allow for closer racing
• Increased overtaking opportunities through the introduction of a new system that gives drivers a short burst of additional battery power when within one second of the car in front
• Improved safety through stronger structures and even tougher tests
• Commitment from a record number of six power unit manufacturers

The McLaren driver beat out Max Verstappen to wrestle the title from the Dutchman after 1457 days at the start of December.

On Norris going back-to-back, Hill added: “Well, all bets are off for this year. We have no idea who is going to have the form.

“We can’t assume that people who found their feet with these the last regulations, which were sort of Venturi ground effect cars, will be able to follow through.

“I mean, some of it will follow through. The power units are completely different.

“They’ve got to share 50 per cent of their power from electric battery power, so storage on the car.

“So the way the cars will be driven, the way they’re designed, the way they work aerodynamically is completely different.”

Getty

Aston Martin ‘the surprise package’ of 2026

Hill later stated that the leadership of Adrian Newey could mean that fans theoretically see a complete changing of the guard.

The iconic F1 engineer and designer, who joined Aston Martin last year after leaving Red Bull, will act as team principal next season.

His new team finished seventh in the constructors’ championship in 2025, but Hill has explained why their fortune could change.

“Yes, you could [see a changing of the guard in F1 this year]. I mean, we could see a complete surprise.

Getty

“Something like when Jenson Button won with Brawn, they surprised everyone because they saw through the regulations.

“And the master of seeing through the regulations is Adrian Newey, who’s gone to Aston Martin.

“He left Red Bull and Max Verstappen behind, and Christian Horner has left that team anyway. But he’s gone off to Aston Martin.

“He’s been working on this project now for a good 18 months or so.

“So we’re sort of expecting him to wave his magic wand over Aston Martin. It could happen.”