(Motorsport-Total.com) – Dear readers,
The first weekend in Formula 1 went almost perfectly for Audi. Gabriel Bortoleto was able to drive straight into Q3 in qualifying and immediately scored his first points with ninth place in the race – all this in front of the eyes of Group CEO Gernot Döllner.
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He had traveled especially to Melbourne (by scheduled flight, by the way), although he still had to attend the supervisory board meeting of the Volkswagen Group on Friday and thus spent more time in the air than on site with his new premium product.
But it was worth it: Audi celebrated its first points and Döllner did not miss the opportunity upon returning to Ingolstadt to speak to the employees at the Audi plant about the importance of the Formula 1 program for the brand.
Audi seemed to have arrived.
Two months later, however, it must be noted: The two points from Melbourne should remain the manufacturer’s only highlight in the current Formula 1 season.
Positive headlines that the group can sell? None.
Only one Audi on the grid three times
Instead, they quickly lost their team principal Jonathan Wheatley, with whom they actually wanted to usher in the new era. Added to this are numerous technical problems that rather recall the mockingly named “Silver Torches” of McLaren from the 2004 season.
At least the Audi cars are silver as well. And how to do a proper barbecue in the USA could also be sufficiently admired on the R26 of Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto in Miami.
Let’s be honest: That only one Audi could start at half of the (sprint) races so far this season does not fit at all with the self-image of a major manufacturer.
Nico Hülkenberg missed the season opener in Australia, Gabriel Bortoleto the next race in China, and now it was Nico Hülkenberg who could not participate in the sprint in Miami because his car was already acting up on the way to the starting grid and went up in smoke.
By the way, Audi likes to call such things a “technical problem” without really trying to clarify it – at least that’s my impression. While other teams usually provide information about what happened via X or WhatsApp groups, Audi mostly remains silent.
Of course, the team should be allowed to first find out the cause before releasing information, but even two weeks after his non-start in Australia, Hülkenberg only said: “No, I can’t say anything more about that. No details, sorry.”
Audi has a full bingo card
But back to Miami, because we are not yet at the low point: Besides Hülkenberg, who could not participate in the sprint, there was also Bortoleto, who was able to bring his R26 to the finish – only to be disqualified after the sessions.
The reason: The intake pressure in the engine exceeded the prescribed limit of 4.8 barA. Admittedly, that’s creative, that’s new. “I’ve rarely heard of that error,” Sky expert Timo Glock was also quite amazed.
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And yet Audi has Mattia Binotto as an experienced engine engineer as project leader, who surely is currently sleeping anything but well given the frequent defects and the interim unrest at the team leadership.
The bingo card of events is definitely full for Audi in the sprint. In the four results so far it reads: 1x DNS, 1x DNF, 1x DSQ – only Hans Heyer managed that more beautifully, and he only needed one race for it. The only countable result was Bortoleto’s 13th place in China.
But if you think that one DNS and one DSQ are enough for one day: Far from it!
Two barbecues for Miami
For a long time it was unclear whether Bortoleto would be able to participate in qualifying afterwards: The Brazilian had a gearbox problem and the men and women in the garage had a lot of work to do.
Double praise: Audi shared what the problem was and got the car on track in time. However, it was not enough for Bortoleto to set a competitive time – and on the cool-down lap his car stalled again and caught fire. The second barbecue of the day. Someone should say again that they don’t offer Americans anything!
At least Hülkenberg had a good starting position for Sunday: Thanks to the disqualification of Isack Hadjar, the German was allowed to start from the top 10, but already in the first lap he suffered damage to the front wing and had to change it. A few laps later he parked the car in the garage (reason: “technical issue”).
Aston Martin with more results than Audi!
Mattia Binotto still has a lot of work ahead of him at Audi. Six retirements, non-participations or disqualifications in as many races are no credit.
Of course, Audi first has to find its footing in Formula 1, but even complete newcomer Cadillac has only had to accept two retirements.
And, watch out, now it gets really bitter: Aston Martin has achieved more placements this season than Audi. I’ll just leave it at that (Audi knows a thing or two about leaving things standing).
Of course, Audi much prefers that at least the pace is right. And you can’t say anything against that. Unlike Cadillac and Aston Martin, they at least have a chance at points. Reliability can be worked on so that one day they can also reap the fruits instead of leaving the basket standing in advance.
Maybe someone should already buy Gernot Döllner a plane ticket to Montreal. Then it will work again.
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Norman Fischer