By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
- Audi Revolut F1 Team secures its first two-car race finish of the 2026 season at Suzuka
- Nico Hülkenberg finishes 11th and Gabriel Bortoleto 13th
- The team leaves Japan with valuable race mileage, data and another step forward in its development
Formula welcomed two automotive giants to the grid in 2026. Both were drawn in by F1’s new hybrid era, both are looking to establish themselves as teams capable of fighting for wins and titles.
Audi has built a reputation for domination in a range of motorsport disciplines across different eras, winning Le Mans 13 times between 1999 and 2016, and reshaping rallying decades earlier.
Even before that and before the Formula 1 World Championship had been formed, its Auto Union predecessor was winning races and titles in European Grands Prix in the 1930s.
So, while 2026 marks Audi’s official F1 debut, the expectation was never about simply making up the numbers, Nico Hülkenberg finished 11th and Gabriel Bortoleto 13th.
The race marked the first time this season that both Audi cars started and completed a Grand Prix, giving the team valuable mileage and data as it continues to build progress in its debut Formula 1 campaign.
First two-car finish marks an important step forward
Hülkenberg delivered a strong recovery drive after losing ground at the start, climbing back to finish just outside the points in 11th place. Bortoleto brought the second Audi home in 13th after starting inside the top 10, ensuring the team achieved one of its key objectives for the weekend: getting both cars to the grid and through the full race distance.
While no points were scored in Japan, Suzuka still represented a meaningful step in Audi’s early-season development. The pace shown across the weekend suggested the team has the potential to compete around the top 10.
The team takes stock of progress and key learnings
From the team’s perspective, Japan delivered both positives and clear reminders of where more work is needed. Mattia Binotto indicated that clean execution and full-race reliability were major objectives heading into Suzuka, particularly after earlier concerns around durability, and those targets were achieved.
At the same time, he acknowledged that the race exposed some of the team’s current weaknesses. The start proved costly, with both cars losing ground early on, while drivability, energy management and start procedure remain important development areas ahead of the next round. With time before Miami, the team will now analyse the data in detail as it looks to turn progress into stronger results.
Leadership structure evolves as project builds
The Japanese Grand Prix also came shortly after a change in Audi’s Formula 1 management structure.
Jonathan Wheatley left the Audi Revolut F1 Team with immediate effect for personal reasons, with Binotto taking on the responsibilities of Team Principal in addition to his role as Head of Audi F1 Project.
Audi now turns its attention to Miami with more race mileage, more data, and a clearer understanding of where gains are being made and where the next improvements need to come from.