Racing
© Jonathan Borba
Audi heads to the Austrian Grand Prix believing it finally has the pace to score, with Nico Hülkenberg saying the team’s recent progress means a reward is now “only a matter of time” after missed chances in Monaco and Barcelona.
Spielberg arrives as an important test of whether Audi can turn improved performance into results. The team said the speed shown over the last two races did not translate into the points it felt were available, even though both weekends offered encouraging signs for the R26.
Hülkenberg pointed directly to Barcelona as the clearest example of the opportunity that slipped away. “The result in Barcelona was disappointing because we had the pace, the position and the opportunity to bring home a good result,” Hülkenberg said. He added that “the last two events have shown that we are taking steps in the right direction in terms of performance” and that “we have the pace to fight for points, and it is only a matter of time before we reap the rewards of our work.”
Audi’s inability to convert that speed has come from a mix of operational errors, reliability problems and bad luck, which is why Austria matters beyond a single weekend result. The team is trying to stop a pattern in which stronger underlying pace has gone unrewarded.
Gabriel Bortoleto struck the same note, saying Audi arrives in Austria knowing “we should have scored points at the recent events and we did not.” He said the frustration is balanced by confidence in the car’s level, adding that the team is “aware of the performance we can deliver” and is looking for “another chance to finish in the top ten.”
Bortoleto also has recent history at Spielberg. He said he scored his first Formula 1 points there last year and recalled it as “a great day for the team,” with Hülkenberg also finishing in the points.
Audi is backing its push with further development, bringing an array of updates for both R26 cars this weekend. Paul Aron will also take over Bortoleto’s car in the opening practice session for his second scheduled FP1 appearance with the team.
Competition director Allan McNish said Monaco and Barcelona had provided “encouraging signs” in both performance and understanding of the car, even if the results did not reflect the pace. With another run of races beginning in Austria, Audi’s objective is to keep developing and finally turn that progress into the points return its recent form has suggested is within reach.