Bernie Ecclestone: Audi rookie Bortoleto 'will be a threat' to Hulkenberg
Bernie Ecclestone predicts Audi's new signing Gabriel Bortoleto will immediately challenge teammate Nico Hulkenberg in 2026, calling the Brazilian a future champion. As Audi's project shows strong early reliability in testing, this internal rivalry adds a compelling narrative to the German brand's highly anticipated F1 entry.
Former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has tipped Audi newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto as a potential future world champion who will immediately challenge his vastly experienced teammate Nico Hulkenberg when the German manufacturer enters the championship in 2026. This endorsement comes as Audi's new project shows promising early reliability in pre-season testing, setting the stage for an intriguing internal dynamic from day one.
Why it matters:
Ecclestone's prediction places immense pressure and expectation on the young Brazilian driver before he has even turned a wheel in an official Grand Prix. It also frames Audi's entry not just as a technical endeavor, but as a team with a compelling driver storyline. A competitive intra-team battle could accelerate development and capture significant fan interest, which is crucial for a new constructor aiming to make a splash in the hyper-competitive midfield.
The details:
- High Praise: In an interview with Sport.de, Ecclestone described Bortoleto as "very fast and a potential future world champion," directly stating the rookie "will be a threat" to Hulkenberg.
- Testing Promise: Audi's 2026 car, powered by its all-new in-house power unit, has demonstrated impressive reliability in early simulations and testing in Barcelona, completing 357 laps in its second test despite some minor issues.
- Team Confidence: Team principal Jonathan Wheatley highlighted the "tremendous job" and "hugely talented team" across facilities in Neuberg, Hinwil, and Bicester, calling the mileage achieved "hugely encouraging" for an ambitious new project.
- Regulation Opportunity: Ecclestone believes the closely matched field under the new regulations presents a prime opportunity, stating, "Audi can definitely be competitive there."
What's next:
All eyes will be on the Audi garage when the 2026 season begins to see if Bortoleto can live up to the lofty billing and genuinely unsettle the seasoned Hulkenberg. The team's primary focus remains bridging the gap between its current encouraging test phase and where it ideally needs to be performance-wise. Their success will depend on translating reliability into outright speed and managing the high-stakes partnership between a promising rookie and a veteran seeking to cement his F1 legacy.