Gabriel Bortoleto defends patience with Audi after mechanical problems at the Miami GP
Gabriel Bortoleto maintains confidence in the Audi project in Fórmula 1, despite the start of the season marked by technical instabilities and lack of reliability. The Brazilian driver, who has scored the team’s only two points so far, highlighted that the maturation process of a new engine manufacturer requires time and resilience from those involved. The statement comes after a difficult weekend in the Grande Prêmio of Miami, where mechanical failures limited the performance of the number 5 car.
The scenario faced by the German team in 2026 reflects the challenges of entering the category with its own power unit. Diferente from competitors that supply engines to multiple teams, Audi relies only on its two cars to collect data and accelerate development. Allan McNish, newly appointed racing director, acknowledged that the factory’s absolute priority is to ensure that both drivers are able to line up on the grid and complete the races without external complications.
Desafios’s exclusive engine limits data collection from Audi
Audi’s current structure at Fórmula 1 puts the team in a slower learning position compared to traditional vendors. Enquanto brands like Mercedes equip up to eight cars on the grid, allowing a massive volume of information per kilometer driven, the Germans rely exclusively on Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. Essa limitation is one of the central points defended by the Brazilian to justify the fluctuation of results in the first five stages of the year.
Para Bortoleto, patience is the necessary tool to get through the period of adaptation to the new technical regulations of the category. Ele pointed out that resolving mechanical problems is a matter of time and fine adjustments in the production and assembly line.
- Current team Ocupação: 9th position in Mundial from Construtores
- Pontuação total: 2 points (achieved 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)
Sequência mechanical failures hampered performance in Miami
Miami’s Grande Prêmio was a portrait of the obstacles Audi needs to overcome to become competitive in the midfield. Gabriel Bortoleto had his classification compromised on Saturday due to a brake fire, which forced him to start from 21st position. Mesmo with the technical setback, the Brazilian showed a solid race pace, climbing the field to finish in 12th place, very close to the points zone.
Além’s brake problem meant the team faced disqualification in the sprint race due to an irregularity in the engine’s air pressure. Do across the garage, Nico Hulkenberg had no better luck. The German driver suffered a breakdown in the transmission system, adding yet another retirement to the team’s account in 2026. Mechanical instability has been recurrent, with records of similar problems in the China and Austrália stages.
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Novo director focuses on reliability to unlock chassis
The arrival of Allan McNish as racing director signals a change in attitude in the sports management of Audi. The Scotsman, who has 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 quest for pure speed, but rather ensuring that the components can 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 be in a realistic position to challenge for points within the top 10. The immediate objective is to stabilize the electronics and hydraulic systems to allow the drivers to exploit the potential aerodynamic design.
Expectativa evolving for the European stages of the season
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 started to appear again randomly in Estados Unidos. Essa characteristic reinforces the thesis that the team is in a phase 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.
