Hülkenberg's criticism of Audi: Why the lack of points is a…
Hülkenberg's frustration with Audi: "Annoying that we don't score points"
While Hülkenberg denounces the persistent lack of points, Bortoleto accepts the results as a realistic maximum. The contrasting positions characterize the 2026 Audi season.
Nico Hülkenberg has sharply criticized Audi's continued lack of points in Formula 1 since the season opener in Australia. The 37-year-old German expressed frustration at the team's lack of success and described the situation as "annoying". Hülkenberg emphasized that it was unsatisfactory for the team and the drivers to be without points after several races.
His criticism is aimed at the performance of the car and the team's strategic decisions. The lack of drivetrain reliability in the first three races in particular increased the frustration. The problems with the hybrid component – specifically a software error in the energy recovery system – led to three failures in the first five runs.
His teammate Gabriel Bortoleto, on the other hand, sees the current results as a realistic maximum under the given circumstances. The Brazilian argues that the technical and tactical challenges are particularly high this season and that the results are therefore understandable. Bortoleto emphasizes that the team is doing its best to make continuous progress.
He points to the complex aerodynamics of the new car, which led to instability at high speeds in the first races. The front wing geometry of the A6 W24 is hypersensitive to crosswinds, which led to significant time losses in Bahrain and Jeddah. The opposing positions of the two drivers reflect the tension that currently exists in the Audi team.
While Hülkenberg calls for a quick solution, Bortoleto relies on patience and long-term development. The different perspectives could influence the team's internal dynamics and season strategy. In particular, the question of whether the team should take risks in the coming races or rely on proven solutions will shape the debate.
Team boss Oliver Hoffmann was cautious about the controversy and emphasized that the team was continuing to work on improving performance. He pointed out that the season is still long and the results could still change. Hoffmann emphasized that the data from the first races would already provide valuable insights for the further development of the car.
Engineers have been reworking the cooling system in the last two weeks before the Bahrain race to increase reliability. The current situation also raises questions about Audi's competitiveness compared to the top teams. While competitors like Red Bull and Mercedes have already collected points in the first races, Audi remains in the back half of the table.
The technical superiority of the competition, particularly in terms of engine performance and aerodynamics, is increasingly becoming an issue within the team. Red Bull dominated with a lead of over a second per lap in Melbourne, while Audi is regularly over a second and a half behind the leaders in qualifying. Hülkenberg's criticism could also put pressure on engineers to develop innovative solutions more quickly.
At the same time, Bortoleto’s pragmatic approach could see the team rely on proven technologies to secure short-term points. The balance between these two approaches will be crucial for the rest of the season. 7 seconds per lap slower than the top teams in qualifying.
The lack of performance in qualifying - where Hülkenberg failed in all five runs in Q2 - underlines the car's structural deficiencies. The engineers are currently working on redesigning the base plate to optimize the underbody pressure. If this measure takes effect, Audi could start at the front of the qualifying field in the Bahrain race for the first time since Melbourne.
The debate about the lack of points also highlights the expectations of Audi as a works team. After joining as a full team in 2026, the company is under particular pressure to become competitive quickly. The current crisis could have long-term consequences if results don't improve soon: sponsors could reconsider their contracts and the fan base could evaporate.
Hoffmann has already held internal discussions with Audi boss Gernot Döllner to clarify the priorities for the next development stages. Team boss Oliver Hoffmann was cautious about the controversy and emphasized that the team was continuing to work on improving performance. He pointed out that the season is still long and the results could still change. Read at Motorsport.com Deutschland
Why this matters
The contrasting attitudes of Hülkenberg and Bortoleto reveal the central tensions in the Audi team: Should you push for quick solutions or focus on long-term development? This question will not only shape the internal mood, but also the strategic decisions for the coming races. The 2026 season could show whether Audi does better with Hülkenberg's pressure or Bortoleto's pragmatism - or whether the team has to find a middle ground to get out of the crisis. The current crisis could also affect the team's future in Formula 1, as Audi needs to establish itself as a serious competitor in order to remain competitive in the long term. At the same time, the factory team is under pressure from the parent company, which expects quick success to justify the investments.
Frequently asked
Why does Hülkenberg criticize Audi's lack of points?
Hülkenberg is frustrated because Audi hasn't scored any points in Australia since the start of the season. He sees this as unsatisfactory and calls for faster progress in performance and strategy. In particular, the lack of reliability of the powertrain in the first three races - caused by a software error in the energy recovery system - has increased his criticism.
How does Bortoleto react to the criticism?
Bortoleto accepts the current results as a realistic maximum under the circumstances. He emphasizes that the technical and tactical challenges are particularly high this season, such as the complex aerodynamics of the new car, which led to instability at high speeds. The front wing geometry of the A6 W24 is hypersensitive to crosswinds.
What role does team boss Oliver Hoffmann play in the debate?
Hoffmann remains cautious and emphasizes that the team is continuing to work on improving performance. He points to the data from the first races as valuable insights for the further development of the car. In the last two weeks before Bahrain, the cooling system was revised to increase reliability.
What could Audi's strategy for the season look like?
The tension between Hülkenberg's push for quick solutions and Bortoleto's pragmatism could shape the internal dynamics. Audi must decide whether to focus on short-term success or long-term development – or find a middle ground. The revision of the base plate in front of Bahrain could begin to bear fruit.
When will the next race take place?
The next race on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar is the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 22nd. For Audi, this could be a chance to break the points drought after reworking the cooling system and optimizing the floor panel.
How does Audi compare to the top teams?
Audi remains in the back half of the table, while competitors such as Red Bull and Mercedes have already collected points in the first races. The technical superiority of the competition is particularly evident in qualifying times: Audi is on average 1.7 seconds per lap behind the leaders.
