Gabriel Bortoleto hopes Audi can build on its better-than-expected performance at Monza and fight for a stronger result when Formula 1 races in Madrid for the first time. The Brazilian has prepared for the completely new Madring circuit in the simulator and believes the unfamiliar venue could create opportunities as every driver and team begins the weekend from a similar starting point.
In the space of just two weekends, Formula 1 will move between two opposite extremes in terms of circuit history. Last weekend, the championship visited the legendary Monza circuit for the Italian Grand Prix. Now the paddock heads to Madrid and a venue that has never previously appeared on the Formula 1 calendar.
Gabriel Bortoleto sees opportunity for Audi at the Madrid GP
The completely new circuit presents an unfamiliar challenge for everyone, potentially opening the door for teams and drivers who have struggled to reach the points or have repeatedly finished just outside the top 10.
That latter scenario has applied several times to Audi, which has recorded a number of 11th-place finishes, particularly with Gabriel Bortoleto.
The German team is also waiting to learn whether there will be any change to the Italian Grand Prix classification following its challenge over what happened with Yuki Tsunoda during the restart procedure at Monza. For Bortoleto, however, the immediate focus has already moved to Madrid.
“I’m really looking forward to the race in Madrid,” Gabriel Bortoleto said. “I’ve prepared in the simulator and now I’m curious to experience it for real. A new circuit is always an exciting challenge because everyone starts from a similar position and we’ll learn new things as the weekend progresses.”
“At Monza, we performed better than expected in terms of performance, which was encouraging, and hopefully Madrid will give us an opportunity to fight for something more significant. It’s the final European race of the year, so it would be nice to finish this phase with a great result.”
Audi encouraged after stronger-than-expected Monza performance
The Italian Grand Prix provided encouragement for Audi even though another points finish remained out of reach. For Bortoleto, the signs of improved competitiveness offer hope that the team can take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding a circuit nobody has previously raced on in Formula 1 machinery.
A new venue also reduces the benefit of historical set-up knowledge. Simulator preparation provides teams with an initial reference, but drivers will still have to learn the track surface, braking points, tyre behaviour and grip evolution once practice begins.
That could make adapting quickly particularly important for Audi as it looks to move closer to the points-paying positions during the final European round of the season.
Nico Hülkenberg targets third European points finish
While Bortoleto has repeatedly come close to the top 10, Nico Hülkenberg has scored Audi’s only two points finishes in Europe this season, in Hungary and the Netherlands.
The German is now hoping to make it three before Formula 1 leaves the continent.
“There’s always something exciting about arriving at a completely new circuit,” Nico Hülkenberg said. “Nobody really knows what to expect until the cars get out on track, so it’s one of those weekends where you have to learn and adapt very quickly.”
“Overall, we’ve been moving in the right direction over the last few races and, if we can get on top of things straight away, hopefully we can put ourselves in a good position to finish the European part of the season with a positive result.”
Madrid creates a level playing field for Formula 1 teams
The lack of previous Formula 1 experience at Madring makes the opening practice sessions particularly important. Rather than relying on years of accumulated data, teams will need to establish their set-ups and understand the circuit as the weekend develops.
For Audi, that uncertainty could become an opportunity. The team heads to Madrid encouraged by its Monza performance and hoping that Bortoleto and Hülkenberg can turn recent progress into another challenge for the points.
With the European leg of the campaign coming to an end, both drivers are looking for a result that would strengthen Audi’s position before the championship moves into its next phase, with the latest points picture available in the 2026 Formula 1 drivers’ standings.
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