Bortoleto maintains relentless approach for second Audi season

Gabriel Bortoleto enters his sophomore season with Audi F1 carrying the same relentless work ethic that defined his rookie year. After finishing 19th in the 2025 standings, the Brazilian driver is eager to apply lessons learned and embrace the challenge of the 2026 regulations, refusing to rely on the "rookie" label as an excuse.

Why it matters:

As Audi fully integrates into the sport under a new set of technical regulations, the team needs a driver fully committed to the development process. Bortoleto's intense desire to avoid time off and his focus on continuous improvement suggest a mindset aligned with building a long-term project capable of fighting at the front.

The details:

• No Winter Break: Bortoleto spent his winter almost exclusively on the simulator at home. He admitted that after just five days away, he felt "useless" and wanted to return to the factory.
• Consistent Mindset: He emphasized that his approach for 2026 is identical to his rookie season—focused on professionalism, hard work, and learning from mistakes.
• Barcelona Test: He completed the first day of private testing in Barcelona, completing 27 laps before a technical issue ended his running early. He described the stoppage as a precaution and deemed the day positive overall.
• Upcoming Schedule: Private testing continues in Barcelona this week, followed by two pre-season test blocks in Bahrain on February 11-13 and 18-20.

What's next:

With the new regulations promising to shake up the competitive order, Bortoleto's extensive preparation in the simulator could prove vital. The focus now shifts to accumulating mileage in Bahrain to ensure the Audi package is reliable and competitive when the lights go out for the first race.