(Motorsport-Total.com) – A new works team, a completely new power unit: Audi naturally didn’t start completely from scratch with its motorsport know-how and Sauber roots. However, entering Q3 directly in the first qualifying session in Melbourne as a newly formed team with its own engine is at least solid.
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And even if minor technical problems prevented an even bigger exclamation mark in the end, Audi left a real impression. The competition in the paddock sees it similarly.
As Nico Hülkenberg already hinted after qualifying: The basis of the new car is right. Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley assesses the result with corresponding pride: “It was an enormously encouraging session for us. The fact that Gabi [Gabriel Bortoleto] reached Q3 directly in the very first race for Audi is a special moment for everyone involved.”
Alpine left behind
Although he grudgingly admits to defects on both cars, he sees the big picture: “Overall, it’s a very positive start. It’s a strong testament to the hard work of the many talented people in the team.” Bortoleto had to park his car at the pit lane entrance after Q2. Hülkenberg is also said to have struggled with a minor technical problem.
Just how highly this debut should be rated is shown by the incredulous looks from the competition. At Alpine, Pierre Gasly pays sincere respect to the Ingolstadt-based team: “To come in with a completely new engine and have a car in Q3 straight away, even though Gabi couldn’t even drive at the end, is quite an impressive achievement.”
Franco Colapinto, who had actually hoped for the top 10 himself after the test drives in Bahrain, also seems almost disillusioned in view of the new pecking order. He openly admits: “Competitors like the Racing Bulls or Audi are presenting themselves incredibly strongly – we absolutely didn’t have it on our radar that they would be mixing it up so far at the front.”
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Bortoleto already sees a “rosy future”?
Bortoleto himself is extremely focused after the session. While there is eager speculation in the paddock as to whether Audi is overperforming or others are simply weakening, the Brazilian looks stubbornly at his own garage. “We are the only team with our powertrain. The only data we have from all the tests is from our own car,” the Brazilian emphasizes, highlighting the extremely steep learning process without customer team references.
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Competing from a standing start with established manufacturer giants like Ferrari, Mercedes, or the Red Bull powertrain is anything but an easy job. Bortoleto therefore remains hungry: “If we’re already starting like this, even though so many things obviously still need to be improved, I see a very rosy future for this team.”
That’s a statement. If Audi carries the initial euphoria forward and quickly gets a grip on the mentioned reliability teething troubles, the works team project could become uncomfortable for the F1 establishment much faster than many had expected before this weekend – especially in the 2026 midfield.
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