Audi F1 Team left the 2026 F1 Japanese GP empty-handed with both drivers finishing just outside of points. Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto finished the race in P11 and P13 respectively. The team ended the weekend with a mix of encouragement and frustration. Team principal Mattia Binotto reflected on the team’s performance at the 2026 F1 Japanese GP and addressed the team’s main problem of the weekend, weak race starts. He also shared insights on Audi’s plans for development ahead of the upcoming 2026 F1 Miami GP.
Mattia Binotto admits poor race starts compromised Audi’s performance at the 2026 F1 Japanese GP
Audi showed improvement in performance, with both cars completing the 2026 F1 Japanese GP. However, it is evident that they still has plenty of work to do. While the team demonstrated strong race pace, a poor start for both drivers left them struggling to capitalise on the full potential of the Audi R26.
Hülkenberg started the race at the Suzuka International Circuit from P13 on the starting grid. However, at lights out, the German driver soon found himself falling to P19 on the opening lap. His teammate Bortoleto faced a similar situation as he fell to P13 despite a strong qualifying performance that placed him P9 on the starting grid.
Speaking in a print media session after his first race as team principal following the sudden departure of Jonathan Wheatley, Binotto highlighted that start performance was a clear weakness that Audi needed to work on.
He went on to clarify that the team had identified it as an issue early on. However, it will not be an easy fix.
“It has been a poor start. And it’s not the first time, so that’s certainly not our strength. At the moment, the reason it has not been addressed so far is because it’s not an obvious thing to be fixed.
“But on the other side, we know it’s a top priority for us because, again, we have a good qualifying and starting with positions. [Then] we are losing all the positions at the start.”
Mattia Binotto speaking on Bortoleto’s frustration with energy deployment at the 2026 F1 Japanese GP
Following the safety car restart, Gabriel Bortoleto was up in P10. However, he did not have the pace to defend his position, ending the race in P13.
Binotto spoke on the Brazilian’s performance at the 2026 F1 Japanese GP and explained the driver’s frustration with energy deployment. He felt like a sitting duck.
The 56-year-old explained that the car lacked speed on the straights. This meant that Bortoleto had to deploy extra energy in the corners to keep up with his competition. When the battery ran out, that ultimately led to him losing positions.
Mattia Binotto added that to gain a clearer understanding, the team would need to analyse the data afterwards.
“Again, I mentioned before, I believe that most of the gap we have on the engine and when you do not have the speed on the straight, you may deploy the energy to protect, but when you run out of batteries and there is nothing much which is left. So I think we will need to look carefully at the data. So we can’t come to a, let me say, so quick conclusion.
“But yes, I think there is a problem with all energy, the way we deploy it. And speed on the straight, that’s not our strength at the moment. So if you deploy your energy and somehow uncharge your batteries, then you are exposed to be overtaken.”
Binotto shares the importance of data analysis post GP weekend
He added that this was part of the developmental process espescially for a new team. Binotto will look through the data from the 2026 F1 Japanese GP with his drivers.
He believes this is crucial to maximise their potential on track.
“So that’s part of our learning process, I would say, of the initial races. We need to review the data with the driver. We need to understand how to best mitigate, not only solving, but mitigate those situations. And then let’s see what’s possible for the near future.”
