Gabriel Bortoleto made a strong impression in his F1 debut, qualifying 10th at the Australian Grand Prix, though he faced a setback in Q3.
The former Sauber team transitioned to Audi ownership starting in 2022. This marked a significant shift in the team’s identity and ambitions within Formula 1.
Breaking Development
At the Australian Grand Prix on March 7, 2026, Gabriel Bortoleto made his F1 debut, qualifying 10th in Q1 and Q2. However, he encountered a drive issue that prevented him from participating in Q3, a disappointment for the young driver and the team.
Bortoleto’s qualifying time in Q2 was 1:20.221, while his teammate, Nico Hülkenberg, qualified 11th with a time of 1:20.303. Despite the setback, Bortoleto expressed pride in the team’s efforts, stating, “I’m happy with what the team has achieved. From now on, we keep working. There’s still a lot of things to be fixed, but I’m proud of everyone that has been working in the last two, three months, trying to put this car in one piece and make it work.”
Hülkenberg also shared his thoughts on the team’s performance, noting, “I think we’re obviously competitive within the midfield.” Jonathan Wheatley, a representative from Audi, remarked on the significance of Bortoleto reaching Q3 in the team’s first race, calling it a “special moment for everyone involved.”
Looking Ahead
The Audi team aims to join the fight for points in their debut race, building on the encouraging results from qualifying. The development of a new power unit at their Neuburg facility has been crucial, as the unit had not run on track until January 2026. Observers expect the team to continue improving as they adapt to the competitive landscape of Formula 1.
