Gabriel Bortoleto details new Formula 1 cars and predicts increase in errors in the 2026 season

Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto, representative of Durante the pre-season tests carried out on the Sakhir circuit, in Bahrein, the competitor highlighted that the reduction in aerodynamic drag and the new power units require drastic adaptation from everyone involved. Segundo the Brazilian, the current feeling is of debuting in a completely new category, given the difference in the car’s behavior compared to previous years.

The expectation is that the first stages of the world championship will present a high number of incidents and track departures due to the risky characteristics of the new chassis. Bortoleto highlighted that none of the eleven teams on the grid will reach Grande Prêmio from Austrália, in Melbourne, with development fully completed. Work in the garages has been relentless to understand how to balance the extra power of the engines with the lowest downforce available.

• The 2026 regulation focuses on hybrid engines with greater electrical dependence.
• Cars became lighter and narrower to facilitate overtaking.
• Battery energy management has become the determining factor in lap time.

Observations made by the Audi driver indicate that human error will be more frequent, as controlling the rear of the car requires more accurate reflexes. Ele compared the current dynamics with that of the Fórmula 2, but with a massive increase in torque and final speed on the straights. The physical and mental preparation of pilots was intensified to deal with this new scenario of technical uncertainty.

Adapting to the new Audi engine requires total focus

The transition from the Sauber to the official structure of the Audi brought additional responsibilities to the young Brazilian driver in the development of the power unit. Ele explained that, unlike last season, the team now operates as a full assembly plant, which demands extremely precise feedback on engine operation. Bortoleto’s involvement with the engineering team of Neuburg and Hinwil has been ongoing to accelerate the learning curve of the hybrid system.

The driver highlighted that developing your own engine is a complex process that requires patience and many hours of simulation on the track. Ele believes that his previous experience in youth categories, where he helped transform teams into winners, will be an important differentiator for the German brand. The current focus is on ensuring that the integration between the chassis and engine is as harmonious as possible before the first official race.

Power Management Changes Transform Riding

The way drivers use the battery during a fast lap has changed radically with the new Federação Internacional and Automobilismo guidelines. Anteriormente, the use of electrical energy was linear and predictable, allowing maximum acceleration without major concerns about immediate recovery. Agora, piloting directly affects the available load, requiring the competitor to choose the exact moments to attack or spare the equipment.

This new strategic component adds an extra layer of difficulty for track engineers, who need to program specific engine maps for each circuit. Bortoleto mentioned that many reliability issues in this area have arisen during testing on the Bahrein, something considered normal in an early regulatory cycle. Efficiency in the recovery of kinetic and thermal energy will be the great divider between the top teams and the others.

• The batteries now provide almost half of the powertrain’s total power.
• The energy recovery system has been simplified to reduce production costs.
• Defensive piloting will be more complex due to the need to recharge the system.

Feeling of debuting in a new category in motorsport

Gabriel Bortoleto compared the technological change of 2026 with the leaps he made between Fórmula 3 and Fórmula 2 in previous years. Ele emphasized that although the physical preparation routine is similar, technical attention needs to be redirected to areas that were previously secondary. The car’s behavior when braking and regaining speed requires a sensitivity that is still being refined during the kilometers covered in Sakhir.

The driver reinforced that the car slides more in high-speed curves, requiring constant steering wheel corrections to maintain the ideal trajectory. Essa feature makes the display more plastic for the public, but considerably increases tire wear and mechanical stress. Para the Brazilian, this instability is a positive part of the new regulations, as it values ​​the individual talent of those who can master the machine.

The driver’s role as the team’s main sensor

Despite all the telemetry technology and electronic sensors spread throughout the car, human feedback remains the cornerstone of development in the Fórmula 1. Ele believes that this direct connection with engineers is what will allow Audi to compete for relevant positions in the near future.

The confidence placed by the team in the Brazilian’s work has been a fuel for their motivation amid the intense testing schedule. Ele reiterated that the project is long-term and that every piece of information collected in the heat of Bahrein is vital to success in Melbourne. The work does not end when the engine is turned off, but continues with exhaustive meetings to analyze every detail of the dynamic behavior.

Mystery about the real performance of rival teams

Conversations between the drivers in the paddock reveal that they are all facing similar challenges, although no one reveals the car’s true potential. The stage of engine development varies significantly between automakers, creating a temporary hierarchy that can change drastically. Bortoleto noted that discretion is the general rule at this stage, with teams hiding the game so as not to give clues to direct opponents.

Expectations for the opening of the season at Austrália

The reduced time until the start of the championship puts extra pressure on mechanics and strategists to resolve software and hardware glitches. The consensus among experts is that reliability will be as important as pure speed in the first races of the year. Gabriel Bortoleto remains optimistic, believing that the solid work done in the pre-season will bear fruit as soon as the lights go out for the first official start.