Bortoleto ‘extremely happy’ with points on Audi’s debut

Gabriel Bortoleto made a strong debut for Audi as a works team, securing points with a ninth-place finish at the Australian Grand Prix. The Brazilian driver showcased his potential by reaching Q3 in qualifying, although a technical issue prevented him from participating further. Despite losing positions at the start of the race, Bortoleto patiently climbed back through the field, executing crucial overtakes on Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly to claim his points-scoring position. Bortoleto expressed immense satisfaction with the result, crediting the team's hard work and the reliability of Audi's new power unit, which they developed under the 2026 regulations. He noted the "very messy" nature of the race due to the steep learning curve for all drivers under the new rules, finding it an enjoyable yet challenging experience. His performance demonstrates Audi's competitive potential against other midfield teams like Haas. Unfortunately, teammate Nico Hülkenberg was unable to start the race due to an unresolved issue.