Nico Hulkenberg scored four valuable points for Audi with an eighth-place finish at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, but his race could have ended dramatically on the opening lap when he narrowly avoided an out-of-control Gabriel Bortoleto at Zandvoort’s final corner. The margin between the two R26s was so small that Nico Hulkenberg later said a sheet of paper would barely have fitted between them.
It was a case of all’s well that ends well for Audi. Neither driver was hurt and one of the two cars still managed to bring home points, but the German manufacturer’s Dutch Grand Prix could easily have been ruined by a team-mate collision that would have been damaging from a sporting perspective and potentially dangerous for both drivers.
The incident unfolded at the end of the first lap. As Gabriel Bortoleto approached the final corner, which remained wet following rain that had fallen a few dozen minutes earlier, the Brazilian lost control of the number 5 Audi R26. Gabriel Bortoleto spun through 360 degrees and remained directly on the racing line as the car completed its rotation.
Just a few metres behind, Nico Hulkenberg was arriving at speed. The 39-year-old suddenly found Gabriel Bortoleto’s out-of-control Audi sliding directly across his path, leaving him with only a fraction of a second to react.
Nico Hulkenberg explains Gabriel Bortoleto near-miss at Zandvoort
Nico Hulkenberg showed the reflexes, composure, driving skill and also the fortune required to slow down just enough, choose the correct side of Gabriel Bortoleto’s spinning car and continue without sustaining any damage.
“It was a complicated and very risky manoeuvre,” Nico Hulkenberg said after the race at Zandvoort. “Naturally, at that speed, I saw practically everything happen in slow motion. But Turn 14 was still completely wet and, on slick tyres, it was clearly a scary situation.”
“I saw that Gabriel Bortoleto had lost the car — as I said, in slow motion but at high speed. But you don’t know exactly whether he’ll slide up or down, or what will happen. And for me it was clear: I somehow had to try to find a way around him.”
The situation was made even more complicated by Max Verstappen’s major Zandvoort crash. The four-time Formula 1 world champion had lost control at the same part of the circuit only seconds before Gabriel Bortoleto. Max Verstappen’s number 3 RB22 then snapped in the opposite direction after a pendulum effect and hit the outside barrier of the final corner heavily.
The impact produced smoke and sent dirt and debris into the air, significantly reducing visibility for the drivers approaching the scene. That included both Audi drivers, who were already dealing with the treacherous conditions at Turn 14. The damp banking had been one of the key variables of the wider Dutch GP tyre and set-up challenge at Zandvoort.
“There was all the debris and smoke from Max Verstappen’s car in front of us. It all looked really wild and spectacular. I slowed down and tried to wait as long as possible before deciding which way to go. A sheet of paper would barely have fitted between us, not much more. There was obviously a bit of luck involved in avoiding the accident as well.”
Nico Hulkenberg turns remarkable escape into four points for Audi
Nico Hulkenberg’s avoidance manoeuvre was exceptional in terms of reflexes and car control, even if the German readily acknowledged the role played by luck. From a sporting perspective, however, escaping the incident would have counted for little if he had not subsequently converted Audi’s pace into a top-10 finish.
Nico Hulkenberg produced a strong drive and, aided by excellent execution from Audi, eventually crossed the line in eighth place to score four World Constructors’ Championship points. The result took Audi to 16 points, leaving the team only five behind Haas, who remain on 21. The battle can be followed in the latest Formula 1 constructor standings.
“It went pretty well,” Nico Hulkenberg continued when assessing his Dutch Grand Prix. “I think everything that hadn’t worked on Friday and yesterday went our way today.”
“We executed everything well in every area. A good start, a good first lap, we fought hard and simply managed to turn the speed of the car into a good result that we deserved, and that feels good.”
Audi looks to carry Zandvoort momentum into Monza
For Audi, the four points also reinforced a positive run of form heading towards the Italian Grand Prix. Nico Hulkenberg believes the team has built useful momentum, although he expects the completely different demands of Monza to provide another major test for the R26.
“Overall, it’s definitely positive. We’ve built some good momentum and the aim is to keep it and carry it forward. Monza is a completely different track: a power circuit, with totally different demands. I think it won’t be easy for us, but for now we’ll enjoy this moment.”
Before turning his attention fully towards Monza, Nico Hulkenberg will also return to the cockpit for additional running at Mugello.
“On Thursday I’ll have a tyre test at Mugello, so I’ll have a bit more time in the car, which I’m looking forward to. After that, we’ll see what we can do at Monza.”
Leave a Reply