Johannesburg, March 2026 – The Audi Revolut F1 Team marked another milestone in its debut Formula 1 season with a constructive weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. Nico Hülkenberg crossed the finish line in 11th, while Gabriel Bortoleto followed in 13th, delivering the team’s first two-car race finish of the 2026 season.
Both finishes provided vital race mileage and data, underlining the team’s commitment to steady development as it adapts to the rigors of Formula 1 competition. Hülkenberg executed a strong recovery drive after losing ground at the start, finishing just outside the points, while Bortoleto, who had started in the top 10, brought the second Audi home safely. Achieving this objective marked an important step forward in the team’s early-season goals, demonstrating the potential to challenge around the top 10 as the campaign progresses.
For the team, Suzuka offered both positive takeaways and lessons for improvement. Mattia Binotto, serving as Team Principal and Head of Audi F1 Project, highlighted the importance of full-race reliability and clean execution, which the team successfully delivered despite early setbacks. The start proved costly for both cars, and areas such as drivability, energy management, and start procedures remain a focus as the team analyses detailed race data to refine performance ahead of the Miami round.
The weekend also followed a change in leadership, with Jonathan Wheatley departing the Audi Revolut F1 Team for personal reasons. Binotto now oversees both the project and team leadership, providing a unified approach as Audi continues its journey in Formula 1. With a clearer understanding of progress and development priorities, the team now turns its attention to the next challenge, armed with valuable insights to strengthen performance and competitiveness.
