The 2026 season of the Fórmula 1 officially began this Friday with the first free practice sessions for the Grande Prêmio of the Austrália, on the Albert Park circuit. Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto, newcomer to the Audi team, shared his initial impressions after completing the first two track sessions with the category’s new technical regulations.
The young talent highlighted that, although the team still needs to make several fine adjustments, the general feeling inside the garage is one of satisfaction with the base built for this start of the championship. Bortoleto ended the day in 14th position, focusing more on understanding hybrid systems and chassis behavior than on fast lap times during qualifying simulations.
- The pilot completed the technical program established by Audi for the first day.
- The team has prioritized collecting aerodynamic data under the new 2026 rules.
- Power management issues have been identified as a priority for remediation.
- The climate in Melbourne presented mild temperatures, favoring the cooling of the components.
First impressions of the Audi’s performance on the track
Gabriel However, the second free practice session presented additional challenges, requiring greater attention from the engineering team to resolve small details that arose with the increase in intensity on the track.
The Brazilian driver explained that the Audi has a solid base to work on, which generates cautious optimism within the project that marks the definitive entry of the German brand as a factory team. Para him, the moment requires patience to understand the real potential of the opponents, as many teams still hide the game in relation to engine power modes and fuel loads.
Necessary adjustments to power and mapping systems
The main concern reported by Bortoleto after Friday’s sessions lies in power unit energy management, one of the pillars of the new technical regulation. The driver stated that there are inconsistencies in the delivery of torque and recovery of kinetic energy, which directly affects the lap time and the car’s drivability on high-speed sections.
According to the Brazilian, these problems are to be expected in a completely new project and the engine preparation team at Alemanha is already analyzing the data in real time to send software updates. Ele trusts in the technical capacity of Audi engineers to optimize these settings before the qualifying session, aiming for a more competitive position on the starting grid.
Comparison with the grid and expectations for the rest of the weekend
Analysis of Audi’s positioning in relation to other teams suggests that the midfield is extremely compact at the beginning of the era. Bortoleto emphasized that 14th place does not necessarily reflect the car’s performance ceiling, as the team focused on resolving basic configuration issues rather than seeking immediate maximum performance.
The team’s night work will be essential to refine the car’s setup and ensure that the driver has confidence in braking and corner entry, points that were critical during the second free practice. The expectation is that, with the track more rubberized and the software adjustments completed, the Audi will be able to make a significant leap in quality for the third free practice session and the definition of the grid.
Focus on constant evolution during the Australian stage
For Bortoleto, the most important thing at this point in Audi’s career and project is not to get carried away by the anxiety of immediate results, focusing on consistent progression with each exit from the pits. Ele reiterated that the team needs to look at itself and not the time table, seeking to correct basic details that are still pending after the first contacts with the asphalt of Melbourne.
- Data analysis indicated that sector two is where the car suffers most from a lack of energy.
- The wear of supersoft tires was considered within the expected range for the track conditions.
- Communication between driver and track engineer was praised for its quick rapport.
- Race strategies will begin to be drawn up after analyzing the full tank pace.
Debut of the new technical regulation in Melbourne
The race at Austrália is the initial milestone of a profound transformation at Fórmula 1, with more sustainable engines and simplified aerodynamics, which partially levels the teams’ knowledge. Gabriel Bortoleto feels that this scenario is ideal for a newcomer and a new team, as everyone is on a steep learning curve and each kilometer covered brings valuable information that can dictate the pace of development throughout the year.
Official grand prize times and schedule
Fans who follow the category must pay attention to the official activity times, which follow the local time zone of Melbourne, ensuring that all the action is broadcast according to the organization’s schedule. The third free practice is scheduled for 12:30 pm on Saturday local time, followed by the qualifying session that will define the first pole positions of the new era at 4:00 pm, also Australian local time.
Sunday’s big race, which promises to be an endurance test for the new Audi engines and the Gabriel Bortoleto’s ability to manage complex systems under pressure, will start at 3pm local time. The Brazilian driver hopes that all the groundwork carried out this Friday will translate into a solid race pace, allowing the Audi to fight for the first points in its history in the top category of world motorsport.