Bortoleto says Audi maximised Austrian GP despite another points near-miss

Gabriel Bortoleto believes he extracted everything available from Audi’s Austrian Grand Prix, even as the team’s wait for points continued with another narrow miss in 11th place.

Bortoleto left just outside the top 10

Audi arrived at the Red Bull Ring hoping its aerodynamic updates would lift the team back into contention after a points drought stretching back to the season opener in Australia. The pace was improved, but not quite enough to break into the top 10.

Bortoleto was one of only two drivers to start on soft tyres, alongside Williams driver Carlos Sainz. He gained a place on Pierre Gasly, but once the race settled, the Racing Bulls cars remained just out of reach. The result was a third consecutive P11 finish for the Brazilian.

“It is what it is,” Bortoleto said. “I think I did the best race I could. I overtook the Alpine that was ahead of me. We had really good race pace but I couldn’t capitalise on P10 because I think the Racing Bulls were just a bit ahead of us this weekend.”

He also noted that the race offered little external assistance. Unlike more chaotic recent events, there were no retirements ahead to open the door.

“No one broke down ahead of us,” he added. “When I did a mega race, I think there was not really much more to do.”

For wider context on how race execution and tyre choices shaped the event, see our breakdown of the Austrian Grand Prix race strategy and tyre sets.

Upgrade signs encouraging for Audi

Despite the frustration, Bortoleto took encouragement from the performance of Audi’s aerodynamic package. He felt the team’s qualifying pace was respectable and that the new parts delivered as intended.

“I think we did everything we could,” he said. “I think our pace in Quali was quite decent. I think we brought an upgrade on the aero package that worked out, so pretty good, I would say.”

Bortoleto added that Audi still needs to “catch up a little bit on the other side”, particularly with further work on the power unit, but expressed confidence that progress is coming.

Hulkenberg questions strategy path

Nico Hulkenberg also finished outside the points after qualifying 14th and passing Gasly to take 12th. Audi opted for a late first stop in search of a tyre offset, but traffic from lapping cars compromised the plan.

“Obviously then it’s difficult to make progress,” Hulkenberg said. “If anything, maybe we could’ve stopped early and been a bit more aggressive.”

He felt Audi’s race pace was close to, or slightly better than, Racing Bulls, but admitted the starting position made the task difficult. With attention now turning to the British Grand Prix on July 3-5, Hulkenberg said he was looking forward to Silverstone, describing it as fast, flowing and personally memorable after his maiden podium there last season.