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Gabriel Bortoleto says he expects to remain with Audi for the next several seasons, reaffirming his commitment to the Swiss-German team as it develops its Formula 1 operation.
The Brazilian joined the outfit in 2025, its final campaign as Sauber, and scored 19 points during his rookie season. In 2026, he has delivered 10 of Audi’s 12 points and currently sits 14th in the championship, eight points behind Haas driver Oliver Bearman.
Bortoleto’s strongest weekend of the season so far came at the Belgian Grand Prix. He qualified ninth at a circuit where Audi had anticipated difficulties because of its power deficit against the other leading manufacturers. A grid penalty for Lando Norris moved him up to eighth for the race, and Bortoleto held that position to resist a late attack from Arvid Lindblad and secure four points.
Audi’s progress is being tracked closely as the team adapts to life as a manufacturer operation. Its longer-term approach is also part of the wider F1 2026 storylines being followed across the grid, including the development of new projects and the pressure on teams to convert potential into results.
Speaking to Motorsport.com’s Brazilian edition, Bortoleto said the details of his agreement remained confidential but made clear that his position was secure.
“As far as I can say, because it’s something confidential, let’s just say there are no clauses. I have a long-term contract with Audi. I’ve already said it: I’ll be with Audi next year, and not only next year, but for the following years as well,” he said.
Bortoleto pointed to the ambition inside Audi, noting that Mattia Binotto has spoken about a project extending towards 2030. He said he believed in the team when he joined and that Audi also believed in his potential.
“This year was the first step, building a new car and a new engine. Next year will be another step, and then we’ll be able to start putting things into practice,” he added.
Bortoleto declined to comment on whether team-mate Nico Hulkenberg is contracted for next year, but stressed how highly he values their partnership.
“I can say that my seat is secured. I’m not going to talk about other people’s contracts, but I really enjoy working with Nico,” he said, describing the German as fast, experienced and a positive influence on the team.
Bortoleto also believes he has changed significantly since entering Formula 1. With limited testing before his debut, he described himself as “very raw” when he arrived and said the learning curve through 2025 was substantial.
He now feels “totally different”, crediting the team’s support and the progress made with the car. “We’ve achieved a lot of things together and we’re making the car more and more competitive,” Bortoleto said.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.