Audi targets Haas as Hulkenberg warns midfield margin is razor-thin

Nico Hulkenberg says Audi will need a near-error-free weekend to turn its pace into points at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where the team is chasing Haas in the constructors’ standings. The midfield fight is so close, he believes, that small mistakes could decide who leaves with a reward.

Audi arrive in Mexico after missing the top 10 in Austin. Hulkenberg recovered to 11th after an anti-stall problem at the start, while Gabriel Bortoleto finished 13th after starting at the back because of a power-unit penalty. Audi sit eighth, seven points behind Haas, with five rounds left.

Audi need clean execution to convert their pace

Hulkenberg has finished 11th in three of the past four Grands Prix, and believes the team is close enough to score if every part of the weekend comes together. He pointed to the need for precision from both drivers and the team’s operations, with the competition from Racing Bulls and Alpine leaving little room for errors.

The German said the car has the speed to contend, but stressed that reliability and a clean execution are essential. In a tightly packed midfield, being competitive is not enough if Audi cannot turn that performance into points.

That tension was evident in Austin, where Audi narrowly missed the top 10. Our report on Audi’s frustration after the Austin points opportunity slipped away looks at how starting position shaped the team’s Sunday.

Bortoleto believes Haas remains within reach

Bortoleto said Audi showed top-10 pace through much of the Austin weekend, and described his feeling in the car as strong from the opening practice session. His grid penalty made the race a harder recovery, but he heads to Mexico without that penalty and hopes to qualify well enough to fight for points.

The Brazilian also sees the circuit as a positive opportunity. He scored a point there last year, although he noted that the long straights are a challenge for Audi. His target is to put together a strong qualifying lap and carry good race pace into Sunday.

Bortoleto remains confident Audi can close the gap to Haas across the remaining five races. He acknowledged that the team may find some events more difficult than others, but believes its pace at many of them gives it a realistic chance. The Hulkenberg-Bortoleto pairing will need to make those opportunities count, starting in Mexico.