Bortoleto bets on patience with Audi as team seeks technical stability

Gabriel Bortoleto maintains confidence in the Audi project in Fórmula 1 despite the mechanical problems that mark the beginning of 2026. The Brazilian driver, responsible for the only two points for the German team so far, argues that the entry of a new engine manufacturer requires time and resilience. The optimistic stance comes after a difficult weekend in the Grande Prêmio of Miami, where technical failures limited the performance of the number 5 car.

Desafios of a unique engine in data collection

Audi’s current structure puts the team in a slower learning position compared to traditional suppliers. Enquanto brands like Mercedes equip up to eight cars on the grid, allowing massive volume of information per kilometer driven, the Germans rely exclusively on Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. Essa limitation is a central point in the Brazilian’s justification for the fluctuation in results in the first five stages.

The scenario reflects the challenges of entering the category with its own power unit. Diferente from competitors that supply engines to multiple teams, Audi collects data only from its two cars. Allan McNish, newly appointed racing director, recognized that the absolute priority is to ensure that both drivers are able to line up on the grid and complete the races without external complications.

Sequência technical flaws hamper performance in Miami

• Current team Ocupação: 9th position in Mundial from Construtores
• Pontuação total: 2 points won in the Austrália GP
• Principais direct rivals: Cadillac and Aston Martin
• Falhas registered: Freios, engine and transmission pressure
• Novo technical command: Allan McNish, former driver and winner of Le Mans

Miami’s Grande Prêmio was a portrait of the obstacles that Audi needs to overcome to become competitive in the midfield. Gabriel Bortoleto had his classification compromised on Saturday due to a brake fire, forcing him to start from 21st position. Mesmo with the technical setback, the Brazilian showed solid race pace, climbing the pack to finish in 12th place, very close to the points zone.

Além due to the brake problem, the team faced disqualification in the sprint race due to irregular engine air pressure. Do on the other side of the garage, Nico Hulkenberg suffered a breakdown in the transmission system, adding another abandonment for the team in 2026. Mechanical instability has been recurrent, with records of similar problems in the stages of China and Austrália.

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McNish prioritizes reliability over pure speed

The arrival of Allan McNish as racing director signals a change in attitude in the sports management of Audi. The Scotsman, with a successful history in endurance races and in the Fórmula E, identified that the car’s chassis has promising base performance. Segundo the manager, the initial focus is not the search for pure speed, but rather ensuring that the components withstand the demands of a full weekend of competition.

McNish said it was frustrating not to have both cars crossing the finish line, but highlighted that other engine manufacturers are also facing difficulties with the 2026 regulations. Internal analysis suggests that, without Saturday’s failures in Miami, both Bortoleto and Hulkenberg would have a realistic chance of fighting for points within the top 10. The immediate objective is to stabilize the electronics and hydraulic systems to allow the drivers to exploit the aerodynamic potential. of the project.

Expectativas for return to Europa

Gabriel Bortoleto’s optimism is anchored in the irregularity of the problems, which do not appear to be chronic design defects but isolated incidents of adaptation. Ele reported that, after a stable start in Japão, unforeseen events reappeared randomly in Estados Unidos. Essa characteristic reinforces the thesis that the team is in the process of cleaning internal processes.

With the return of the circus from Fórmula 1 to Europa, Audi expects to implement the first major software and hardware upgrades to the power unit. The proximity to the base at Alemanha should facilitate the logistics of replacing parts and laboratory analysis of components that failed in the transoceanic rounds. Para the Brazilian pilot, the goal is to repeat the consistency presented in Austrália, where he made the most of the available equipment.