Audi F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg believes that the German manufacturer’s bold new car is fairly close to competing with the midfield teams as testing continues in Bahrain. Audi will officially enter Formula 1 this season as a works team following its acquisition of the former Sauber outfit.
Audi grabbed attention on the opening day of its first Bahrain test by revealing a dramatically redesigned sidepod setup, which differs significantly from the version used during its initial shakedown in Barcelona. Despite ongoing issues, including a brief halt during Hulkenberg’s session on Wednesday, the car has logged over 200 laps between Hulkenberg and teammate Gabriel Bortoleto so far.
Speaking after Thursday’s testing, Hulkenberg said the team has made substantial progress since Barcelona. He described the updated car as “completely different” and a definite step forward in terms of both performance and reliability, allowing the team to complete many laps.
He pointed out that Bahrain’s track is much more demanding than Barcelona’s, with heavy braking zones, uneven surface, low grip, strong winds, and high temperatures — all conditions that tend to expose any car’s weaknesses. Hulkenberg called Bahrain a “really good test” given its challenging nature.
The Audi driver also emphasized that the team is continuously developing its power unit, experimenting with various settings in a methodical, step-by-step approach. Regarding the midfield competition, he feels Audi is not far off but acknowledged the difficulties in comparing lap times due to variables like energy modes and fuel loads.
“All in all, there’s still a long way to go and plenty of work ahead. I believe there’s much more potential once things stabilize,” Hulkenberg concluded.
Fan Take: Audi’s promising start shows their serious intent to become a competitive force in F1, which is exciting news for fans craving fresh rivalries and innovation. If they can close the gap to midfield teams swiftly, it could shake up the sport’s dynamic and bring new energy to the grid.
