As race week finally approaches, Audi make their debut in Formula 1; team principal Jonathan Wheatley and his drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have shared their views on the upcoming season, as well as what we can expect from one of the new teams on the block ahead of the 2026 F1 Australian GP.
This comes after an intense winter featuring the longest testing programme in recent years and thousands of kilometres completed in both Barcelona and Bahrain. Furthermore, anticipation is building for Audi at the 2026 Australian GP as the team now prepares to make its long-awaited debut at Albert Park in front of millions watching.
Melbourne will be a busy weekend for the team both on and off track, as the team have several locations around the world looking at data and areas to improve the car. As well as Audi Driver Development Programme inductee Freddie Slater beginning his first season in F3, plenty of eyes are on them this weekend.
Jonathan Wheatley has high hopes
Wheatley will be completing his second season as team principal, qnd the first season as Audi will be no different to the previous seasons. Nevertheless, the Australian GP marks a milestone in the team’s journey.
“We have launched a new team, built the first Audi F1 car with our own powertrain and then completed one of the most comprehensive pre-season programmes in recent years.
“There is a great sense of pride in what has been achieved so far, but also awareness of the challenge ahead. This is the start of a long journey, and our focus is on building our team capabilities and executing a clean race weekend.”
Photo Credit: Audi F1 Team
Nico Hülkenburg is ready
Nico Hülkenburg will be returning for his 16th season and is still as excited as he was when he first joined the grid back in 2010.
Hülkenburg has spoken highly about the car especially after the testing shakedown and comments, “The amount of work that has gone on behind the scenes has been huge, and now it’s the time to turn that work into action.
“Albert Park is a unique track, more a street circuit, and I’m not sure it will fully show the potential of all teams: at the same time, it’s a location that can produce chaotic races. It’s the perfect place for the season opener and I am really looking forward to getting back to racing now.”
Gabriel Bortoleto is hungry and eager to impress
Bortoleto completed a very good rookie season last year and is returning this year with even more eagerness to impress and do well for himself as well as the team.
“Pre-season was important to get comfortable with our new car and properly understand how it behaves under the new regulations: we had good mileage, and I feel we’ve used that time well to tick all the boxes in our programme.”
Photo Credit: Audi F1 Team
Bortoleto is one of the names that everyone is really excited to see race. He has shown great performance in his career leading up to Formula One and showed flashes of real excellence in his rookie campaign.
“Our focus will be on building a good rhythm from the start of the weekend and getting the most out of the package.”
