Nico Hulkenberg ended Friday at the Japanese Grand Prix with a positive outlook and a clear technical picture: Audi appears to have a solid foundation, the midfield is significantly more compact compared to the opening two races, and overnight work will be crucial to confirm the pace shown across both practice sessions.
“Solid baseline, two clean sessions”
When asked to assess his day, Nico Hulkenberg responded with his usual pragmatism, focusing on the consistency of execution and the importance of the data gathered.
“Yes, it was a good day. A solid baseline, even though the midfield seems much closer compared to the first two races. Two decent, clean sessions with no issues on my side of the garage. We completed the programme, and there’s a lot to review, but also some good learnings,” he said.
The German driver emphasized how smoothly the team operated throughout the day, allowing them to collect valuable data without interruptions—an essential factor on a demanding circuit like Suzuka.
“The package is in a good place”
Looking at the low-fuel runs and softer tyre compounds, Hulkenberg confirmed that the early signs are encouraging for Audi as they continue to refine their performance.
“I think the package is in a good place. For us, it’s the usual fine-tuning work, trying to maximise everything overnight. Hopefully we can carry this form into tomorrow,” he added.
It is a methodical approach typical of Hulkenberg, who is focused on extracting every possible detail from the setup to unlock the car’s full potential.
With the midfield appearing so tightly packed, the key question is inevitable: can Audi fight for a place in Q3 and score points this weekend? Hulkenberg’s response was immediate and confident.
“Absolutely.”
That confidence reflects not only the strength of the current package but also the quality of the work carried out so far by the team.
Hulkenberg leaves Friday with the awareness of having a consistent car and a team moving in the right direction. The midfield battle may be more crowded than ever, but Audi seems to have the tools required to remain firmly in the fight as the Suzuka weekend progresses.
Nico Hulkenberg is therefore looking like a dark horse for a strong qualifying result at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix. Based on the content of his post-practice debrief, the Audi driver is feeling “at one” with the car’s high-speed stability through the iconic “S” Curves.
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