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Audi grapples with disastrous starts in Japan: can they turn the tide before Miami?

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
March 31, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0

Audi Faces Major Setback: Start Issues Derail Japanese GP Hopes!

In a thrilling but disappointing turn of events, Audi’s ambitious return to the Formula 1 arena hit a significant hurdle at the Japanese Grand Prix, where both drivers faced critical starting problems that left them stranded outside the points. This was not the comeback the team had envisioned after Gabriel Bortoleto's promising debut ninth-place finish in Australia, raising alarms about their performance trajectory.

The stage was set in Suzuka, where Bortoleto, under the leadership of newly appointed Team Principal Mattia Binotto, had qualified in a respectable ninth position. Fans were hopeful that this would mark Audi’s re-entry into the top ten after a shaky start. However, the reality was a stark contrast to expectations as both Bortoleto and his teammate Nico Hülkenberg grappled with a catastrophic start.

Bortoleto's race ended in disappointment, finishing 13th after a race marked by frustration. He candidly expressed, “The race went fairly well overall: the Safety Car helped us, as I opted to stay out longer to avoid getting stuck behind cars on harder tires. Our pace was decent, but I struggled on the straights. What really hampered us today, unfortunately, was the start. We’ve known since the first race of the season that this is an area we need to improve on, to ensure we don’t undermine the work we put in on Saturdays. With nearly five weeks off before the next race, we’ll stay focused and make the most of this time to work together on all fronts and enhance the car, aiming to return to Miami in a stronger position.”

Hülkenberg’s experience echoed that of his teammate, as he lamented the impact of a lackluster start on his race. “We had a solid pace and a genuine chance to score points, but our race was compromised by a poor start,” he stated. From 13th to 19th within the first lap, Hülkenberg's race quickly turned into a battle just to keep pace. “Being stuck in traffic for most of the race limited our chances to recover. These cars are still quite challenging to manage with the current energy management and overtaking dynamics. You can make moves, but you become vulnerable immediately after, so it’s a trade-off.”

Despite the challenges, Hülkenberg found a silver lining, remarking, “Completing the race and gathering valuable data was crucial. We have a lot to work on and improve, and with a month until Miami, we have ample time to analyze everything and come back stronger.”

As the Audi team gears up for a critical period of reflection and development, fans can only hope that the lessons learned from this race will pave the way for future successes. With the pressure mounting, the question remains: can Audi overcome these starting woes and reclaim their competitive edge in the high-stakes world of Formula 1?

Tags: Audiformula-1-engabriel-bortoleto-2japanese-grand-prixnico-hulkenberg-2
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