(Motorsport-Total.com) – Audi “positively surprised” him at the Formula 1 winter test in Bahrain, says expert Günther Steiner to sport.de. “For Audi, it’s a complete new beginning. Building such a power unit is not to be underestimated,” explains the long-time Haas team principal.
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He also recalls: “Audi changed the entire management a year and a half ago.” At that time, Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann were shown the door, and instead, Mattia Binotto was installed as the new head of the Formula 1 project.
Such restructurings behind the scenes are always difficult, Steiner explains. It is therefore all the more surprising for him that Audi left a decent impression in Sakhir. “They are driving consistently, and the times are also respectable,” he praises.
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Gabriel Bortoleto finished the Bahrain test tenth on the timesheet and slotted into the midfield directly behind Pierre Gasly (Alpine) and Oliver Bearman (Haas) – and thus, for example, ahead of the drivers from Williams or the Racing Bulls. “Audi doesn’t look so bad,” Steiner emphasizes.
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“They can’t compete for wins, they’re not among the top 4 at the front, but if they’re in the midfield, that’s already very positive,” the 60-year-old emphasizes. The team finished last season, then still under the name Sauber and with Ferrari engines, in ninth and penultimate place in the World Championship.
The highlight of the 2025 season was Nico Hülkenberg’s surprising podium finish at Silverstone. However, Steiner normally cannot imagine Audi making it onto the podium again at a Grand Prix this year.
“I don’t think it will be enough for a podium this year,” he emphasizes, explaining that Hülkenberg’s task is to “bring Audi forward as a team with his experience.” In addition, the German will certainly also score some championship points.
“We all know what Nico can do,” praises Steiner, who knows Hülkenberg very well from their time together at Haas. “But there won’t be a podium for Nico this year,” he predicts.
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