Why McNish thinks Austria was 'best weekend so far' for Audi

Audi Racing Director Allan McNish has described the Austrian Grand Prix as the team's strongest performance of the 2026 season so far, despite Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg finishing just outside the points in 11th and 12th place. While the team remains hindered by a significant power unit deficit on high-speed tracks like the Red Bull Ring, McNish was encouraged by the successful debut of a new aerodynamic upgrade package and the overall reliability of the R26 cars. McNish praised both drivers for maximizing their potential during the weekend, noting that the team could not have achieved much more given the car's current limitations compared to their midfield rivals, particularly the Racing Bulls. He highlighted the progress made in race starts, which had previously been a weakness for the team, and emphasized that the focus remains on consistent execution while the engine development facility in Neuberg continues to work on long-term power unit improvements. Looking ahead to the upcoming race at Silverstone, McNish expressed optimism that the circuit characteristics will be more favorable to the Audi package. He believes the team is now better positioned to capitalize on their improved performance and execution, especially at venues where sheer horsepower is less critical than it was in Austria.