Key Highlights:
- Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto finished ninth, giving Audi its first-ever Formula 1 points.
- Bortoleto admitted some passes during the chaotic race “happened by mistake” due to unexpected closing speeds under the 2026 regulations.
- Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley hailed Bortoleto’s performance as “exceptional,” highlighting his composure in the team’s debut race.
- Both Bortoleto and the team are still adapting to the new 2026 F1 rules, especially energy management and race strategy.
Bortoleto Admits Some Overtakes “Happened by Mistake”
Audi’s Brazilian driver this week revealed that a number of his passes during the chaotic Australian Grand Prix weren’t entirely intentional, reflecting the unpredictability of the sport’s new technical era.
Chaotic Race Leads to Unplanned Moves
Bortoleto, driving for Audi Formula 1 Team, finished ninth in his team’s first-ever Grand Prix, scoring the maiden F1 points for Audi. However, he admitted that a few overtakes in Albert Park came “by mistake” as he caught rival cars with unexpected closing speeds under the new 2026 regulations.
The Brazilian explained that managing energy levels and the unpredictable nature of the new cars sometimes resulted in unintended passing manoeuvres, highlighting the learning curve teams and drivers are facing this season.
Audi’s Debut Performance Draws Praise
Despite the confusion on track, Bortoleto’s result was celebrated by team boss Jonathan Wheatley, who described the performance as exceptional for Audi’s first outing under its new identity. The team overcame a difficult start in testing to make Q3 on Saturday and secure points on Sunday.
Wheatley noted Bortoleto’s maturity and race management through a challenging weekend, underscoring the significance of scoring in only their debut race.
Learning the 2026 Regs as the Season Progresses
Bortoleto himself admitted he’s still adapting to the new set of rules, which require drivers to juggle energy deployment and recovery over multiple stints. He said that while the racing felt “very nice,” there’s still much to decipher in terms of strategy and predicting how battles will unfold.
