Where Audi's main focus lies after a season of near misses

Audi's 2026 debut has been a mix of early promise and subsequent frustration. While Gabriel Bortoleto scored points in Australia, the team has struggled to repeat that success despite frequently running just outside the top ten. Recent races have seen points lost due to penalties and freak mechanical failures, leaving the team eager to convert their promising qualifying pace into race results. Team management and drivers acknowledge that the primary hurdle is the power unit, which is estimated to be over a second off the pace compared to rivals. While the chassis is considered competitive, improvements are needed across the board. Audi continues to optimize its current package while focusing on long-term development to close the performance gap in future seasons.