The Audi Revolut F1 Team leaves Suzuka qualifying with clear signs of progress. The German squad returns to Q3 thanks to a decisive and increasingly comfortable performance from Gabriel Bortoleto, while Nico Hülkenberg narrowly misses the top ten after a session decided by tiny details. It was a Saturday that confirmed the pace seen in practice and opened interesting prospects for the race.
Hülkenberg just misses out
The German driver described a tight qualifying session where every small mistake counts: “Qualifying always tightens the group, and today was no different: the margins are really minimal,” Nico Hülkenberg explained.
The disappointment was clear: “In Q2, I wasn’t able to put together two clean laps, so we didn’t manage to make it into Q3. The car felt fine, and I think we’re right there in the middle.”
Looking ahead to the race, the outlook remains positive: “Tomorrow we’ll fight to get into the top ten along with other teams. The goal is to execute a clean lap, perform well, and gain positions.”
Gabriel Bortoleto secures another Q3 and confirms growth
On the other side of the garage, Gabriel Bortoleto continues to build confidence and results: “I’m very satisfied with qualifying and with what the team provided me,” said the Brazilian, who set the ninth-fastest time.
His qualifying progression was steady: “We gained confidence between Q1 and Q2, delivering really solid laps. There’s still work to do, some fine-tuning, but starting in the top ten feels fantastic.”
And the race promises to be competitive: “Tomorrow will be different, but I’m confident. We have a couple of cars ahead that we can fight with in terms of pace, and we’ll give it our all.”
Suzuka delivered a Saturday for Audi that means more than just numbers: a Q3 achieved, a second car just outside, and a package showing consistency and potential. The race will be a challenge, but also another chance to measure the growth of a project that, weekend after weekend, is beginning to find its identity.
Audi’s performance at the Japanese Grand Prix therefore suggests the team is finally unlocking the one-lap pace of the 2026 chassis. Based on the content of Bortoleto’s Q3 run, the team has a genuine chance to secure a double-points finish if they can maintain their energy management levels over a full race distance.
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