Photo: Race Pictures

Audi problems continue as Hulkenberg triggers first red flag of day three

10:16, 28 Jan

Updated: 12:26, 28 Jan

byTobia Elia

Nico Hulkenberg triggered the first red flag of the day on the third day of testing in Barcelona.

The German driver’s RS26 was spotted stopped on track between Turns 9 and 10, before being recovered by a crane and returned to the garage. The cause of the issue that forced Hulkenberg to stop has not yet been confirmed.

It marks the second on-track stoppage for the RS26 this week, following Gabriel Bortoleto’s technical problem on day one, which prevented him from completing the planned programme and limited him to just 27 laps by the end of the day.

Early reports point to a possible hydraulic issue on the car, but further confirmation from the team is still awaited.

Follow all the latest updates from day three of Barcelona testing here.

Photo: Audi Revolut F1 Team Content Hub

Audi identifies technical problem behind RS26’s opening-day setback

Audi endured a difficult start to its Barcelona test, emerging as the least active of the seven teams on track on the opening day. Bortoleto’s running was cut short before midday, with his RS26 stopping on circuit after covering only limited mileage.

Addressing the issue afterwards, team principal Jonathan Wheatley acknowledged that a technical problem had interrupted the programme, while underlining that the atmosphere within the team remained positive and enthusiastic.

Read the full story here.

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