Audi has expressed confidence in its ability to be competitive in the 2026 Formula One season, with driver Nico Hulkenberg highlighting steady development progress despite uncertainties over the team’s true standing.
Hulkenberg said it remains difficult to accurately gauge where Audi sits in the pecking order until all teams fully reveal their performance capabilities during qualifying at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
“We won’t have a clear picture of the competitive landscape until everyone shows their hand in Melbourne,” he said, noting that pre-season times often fail to reflect the actual order once racing begins.
Although Audi did not top the timing sheets during pre-season testing, the German manufacturer drew attention following the introduction of a substantial upgrade package in Bahrain, rolled out shortly after initial running in Barcelona.
Hulkenberg described the progress made between the Barcelona test and the final pre-season session in Bahrain as encouraging, adding that the car appears closer to the midfield battle than earlier indications suggested.
“I believe we have made meaningful strides from Barcelona to where we are now. There are promising signs, but this is just the beginning of a long journey,” said the German driver.
The 2026 campaign marks a significant milestone for Audi as it embarks on its first season as a full works team, including the development of its own power unit. Hulkenberg acknowledged that the winter development phase was particularly demanding, given the complexity of building an in-house engine programme for the first time.
“There is still considerable room for improvement, especially as we continue refining the power unit and overall package,” he added.
In the final test session in Bahrain, Hulkenberg’s teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto, clocked the seventh-fastest time, while Hulkenberg finished 15th. The results offered an early glimpse into Audi’s potential ahead of its official race debut in Melbourne.
While the ultimate benchmark will only be set once competitive sessions begin, Audi appears cautiously optimistic that its preparations have laid a solid foundation for its inaugural season in Formula One.
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
