Audi is targeting a return to the points at the 2026 Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix, with Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto drawing encouragement from their performances in Austin despite missing out on a top-10 finish. Both drivers believe there were positive signs at the United States Grand Prix and are optimistic about their chances of delivering a stronger result at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
The Mexican weekend will also feature a change to Audi’s practice line-up, with Formula 3 runner-up Freddie Slater making his Formula 1 debut in FP1. The British youngster will replace Nico Hülkenberg in the opening session before the German returns to his regular duties for FP2, while Gabriel Bortoleto will also make way for Freddie Slater during the first practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Freddie Slater to make F1 practice debut with Audi in Mexico
Freddie Slater, a member of the Audi Academy and runner-up in the Formula 3 championship, will gain his first experience of an official Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend in Mexico City. The British driver, who is set to compete for Invicta in Formula 2, has been given two FP1 appearances as part of Audi’s programme, with a second opportunity scheduled for Interlagos in Brazil.
For Nico Hülkenberg, missing the first practice session in Mexico will not significantly disrupt his preparations, as he is scheduled to return to the cockpit for FP2. The arrangement also allows Gabriel Bortoleto to complete the full Mexican Grand Prix weekend before handing over his car for the opening practice session at his home race in São Paulo.
Audi’s plans remain focused on improving its competitiveness in the tightly contested midfield. The team has come close to scoring points on several occasions, and both regular drivers will be looking to capitalise on the encouraging signs from Austin.
Nico Hülkenberg targets Mexico GP points after frustrating Austin race
Nico Hülkenberg narrowly missed out on another points finish at the Circuit of The Americas, crossing the line in 11th position. The German had previously scored points in both the Sprint and the main race in Singapore and is determined to return to the top 10 after a United States Grand Prix in which his result did not fully reflect the pace he felt Audi had available.
“Overall, Austin was a pretty solid weekend, even though the race didn’t go exactly as we had hoped after losing ground at the start,” Nico Hülkenberg explained. “We had the pace to fight with the cars around us, but in such a competitive midfield, recovering positions is never easy. We’ll take what we’ve learned and try to have a more straightforward weekend in Mexico.”
The battle for the minor points positions remains particularly demanding, with small differences in performance often proving decisive. After finishing just outside the top 10 in Texas, Nico Hülkenberg hopes Audi can put together a cleaner weekend and convert its competitiveness into a stronger result in Mexico City.
The German is also particularly enthusiastic about returning to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, which has been a popular destination among drivers since Formula 1 returned to Mexico in 2015. In addition to the atmosphere created by the local fans, the circuit presents an unusual technical challenge because of its high altitude.
“I’ve never hidden how much I enjoy racing during this triple-header: Mexico City is always a fantastic place to race, one of the weekends I enjoy most. The culture is vibrant, the fans are incredibly passionate, and the atmosphere in the stadium section is something special, ever since we returned here in 2015. The altitude also represents a unique challenge for both the cars and the drivers, so there are many aspects to manage.”
Those characteristics will add another element to Audi’s preparations as the team attempts to translate its encouraging Austin performance into a points finish. The high-altitude conditions are among the defining features of the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, making the practice sessions particularly important for understanding the cars’ behaviour.
Gabriel Bortoleto hopes to end points drought before Brazilian GP
For Gabriel Bortoleto, the upcoming races carry additional significance as he prepares for his home Grand Prix at Interlagos. The Audi driver, who races with number 5, has not scored points since Spa-Francorchamps and will be eager to end that difficult run before arriving in São Paulo.
Although recent results have been disappointing, Gabriel Bortoleto believes there are reasons for optimism. He was encouraged by the performance of his car at Austin, where he enjoyed competitive battles and completed several overtaking manoeuvres. His positive memories of last year’s Mexican Grand Prix provide another reason to approach the weekend with confidence.
“Last weekend in Austin left us with some positives. The car behaved well, we had good pace, and I enjoyed battling with the other cars, managing to pull off some good overtakes,” Gabriel Bortoleto said.
The Brazilian also recalled his first appearance at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in 2025, when he fought his way through the field to finish in the points. That experience, combined with the reception he received from Mexican fans, has made the event one he particularly enjoys.
“I have great memories of my first Mexican Grand Prix last year, particularly the recovery drive that allowed me to finish in the points. I also really enjoyed the city and the warm welcome from the fans: there’s a special atmosphere, and it’s a really enjoyable weekend to be part of.”
Gabriel Bortoleto nevertheless recognises that Audi faces considerable competition in the midfield, where every position is closely contested. With the team attempting to improve its results in the closing stages of the season, both drivers are hoping the lessons learned in Texas will help them move further up the order.
“We know how tight the competition is in the midfield, but we hope we can capitalise on the positives that emerged in Austin and fight for a good result here as well,” Gabriel Bortoleto concluded.
For Audi, the immediate priority is to turn those encouraging performances into championship points. Nico Hülkenberg will be aiming to improve on his 11th-place finish in Austin, while Gabriel Bortoleto hopes to rediscover the form that brought him points in Belgium and during his previous visit to Mexico. Both drivers will have an opportunity to improve their positions in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship standings before the championship moves on to Brazil.
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