Audi returned to the Formula 1 points in impressive fashion at the Singapore Grand Prix, with Nico Hülkenberg securing top-eight finishes in both the Sprint and Sunday’s race. The experienced German collected six points across the weekend and helped Audi reduce its deficit to Haas in the Constructors’ Championship to just seven points.
While Nico Hülkenberg enjoyed one of Audi’s strongest weekends of the season, the picture was very different on the other side of the garage. Gabriel Bortoleto’s difficult run of results continued at Marina Bay, where a gearbox problem forced him to retire after only seven laps.
Nico Hülkenberg scores points twice for Audi in Singapore
After several occasions on which Audi had come close to the points, particularly through Nico Hülkenberg, the situation finally changed at the Singapore Grand Prix, where the German team also raced with a special livery.
Nico Hülkenberg first crossed the line in seventh place in the final Sprint of the championship before finishing eighth in the Grand Prix, giving Audi two points-scoring results over the same weekend.
It was a particularly satisfying outcome for both the driver and the team, with Nico Hülkenberg also resisting a late charge from George Russell during the closing stages of the race.
“What a fantastic way to finish the weekend,” Nico Hülkenberg said. “I think we made the most of the opportunities available to us, starting with a really strong first lap that put us in a good position for the race.
“From that point onwards, it was mainly about managing the tyres and staying focused, particularly in the closing stages, with George increasing the pressure. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to hold on and bring home some important points.
“Scoring six points between the Sprint and the race is a great reward for everyone’s hard work. The team has kept pushing and really deserves this result.
“The midfield is still extremely close, so every weekend you have to start again from zero and prove yourself. Still, it’s a great way to finish this triple-header, and it’s nice to repay everyone’s efforts, both at the track and at the factory. Now we’ll enjoy this result, recharge the batteries and get ready for Austin.”
Audi closes the gap to Haas in the Constructors’ Championship
Nico Hülkenberg’s Singapore points have also provided an important boost to Audi’s Constructors’ Championship campaign. The result reduced the team’s deficit to Haas to seven points, underlining just how tight the battle remains in Formula 1’s midfield.
With margins between the teams so small, individual opportunities can have a significant impact on the standings. Nico Hülkenberg’s ability to convert both the Sprint and Grand Prix into points therefore represented a particularly valuable return from the Singapore weekend.
Gabriel Bortoleto suffers early Singapore retirement
The situation was completely different for team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto. The Brazilian has not finished inside the top 10 since the Belgian Grand Prix and reached a new low in terms of results over the most recent two race weekends.
After finishing only 18th at Sepang, Gabriel Bortoleto’s Singapore Grand Prix ended before the chequered flag when a gearbox failure forced him to retire after just seven laps.
“Overall, it was a weekend to forget for me,” Gabriel Bortoleto admitted. “I think everyone goes through highs and lows during the year, and for me this weekend was definitely one of those.
“Things were going well until what seemed to be a possible gearbox issue emerged. We were still in the early stages of the race, with the field very closely packed, so it’s difficult to say how things would have turned out.
“Unfortunately, we’ll never know, because the problem ended my race before it had really got going.”
Gabriel Bortoleto praises Nico Hülkenberg’s Audi result
Despite his own disappointment, Gabriel Bortoleto was pleased to see his team-mate convert Audi’s potential into points and highlighted Nico Hülkenberg’s ability to withstand pressure from George Russell.
“I’m happy for Nico,” Gabriel Bortoleto added. “He had a great weekend. Being able to hold off George and bring home points for the team shows the potential of the car and what we can achieve.
“It’s a fantastic result for the team, even though it was unfortunate for me. Now, though, we’re looking ahead to Austin.”
Singapore therefore delivered contrasting fortunes for Audi’s two drivers. Nico Hülkenberg’s six-point haul strengthened the team’s position in the midfield battle, while Gabriel Bortoleto will be hoping to end his difficult run when Formula 1 moves on to the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
Leave a Reply