Audi F1 Team Kicks Off Promising Weekend at Hungaroring
The Audi F1 Team has made a strong start to the race weekend at the Hungaroring, with Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto completing an extensive testing program.
Formula 1
24.07.2026
The Audi F1 Team has made a strong start to the race weekend at the Hungaroring, with drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto engaging in an extensive testing program. They focused on tire calibration, vehicle setup, and data collection in preparation for qualifying on the initially dusty track.
In the first practice session, Audi impressed with Bortoleto finishing in sixth place and Hülkenberg in eighth. The second session saw Hülkenberg maintaining a spot in the top ten, placing ninth, while Bortoleto followed closely in eleventh. As grip on the track improved, the team concentrated on enhancing the car's balance and drivability.
Nico Hülkenberg reflected positively on the day, stating that they tested various tire compounds, gained insights into vehicle balance, and improved the setup between the two sessions. He noted that the day went well overall but emphasized that the midfield remains extremely competitive, with every detail potentially influencing qualifying outcomes.
Gabriel Bortoleto also expressed satisfaction with the day’s training, highlighting the valuable data collected. He mentioned facing some challenges with the soft tires during the second session and noted that wind conditions added to the difficulty. However, Bortoleto sees further potential, indicating that if they can draw the right conclusions from the data overnight, a strong performance on Saturday is possible.
With sixth and eighth places in the first practice and ninth and eleventh in the second, Audi demonstrated that the Hungaroring could align well with the characteristics of their current vehicle. The challenge now lies in translating the insights gained into a strong qualifying performance.
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