Hülkenberg Impressed by Bortoleto's 'Spectacular' Rookie Speed

Veteran driver Nico Hülkenberg has heaped praise on his rookie teammate Gabriel Bortoleto, calling the 2025 Formula 2 champion "impressive" from the very first weekend. Hülkenberg highlighted Bortoleto's raw speed, consistency, and rapid adaptation to unfamiliar tracks as key strengths during their season together, which served as a prelude to their team's transformation into Audi for 2026.

Why it matters:

• Endorsement from a respected veteran like Hülkenberg carries significant weight, validating Bortoleto's potential and the team's driver selection strategy.
• A strong, harmonious driver pairing is the foundation for any successful team, especially for a manufacturer like Audi entering a new era with complex 2026 regulations.
• Bortoleto's reported professionalism and work ethic suggest he has the maturity required to develop into a future star, not just a fast prospect.

The details:

• Hülkenberg stated he was "impressed from the beginning," noting Bortoleto's competitiveness on tracks he had never driven on before.
• He described the Brazilian as a "very fast learner" with impressive speed and consistency, despite some "ups and downs" later in the season.
• Beyond the track: Hülkenberg offered a unique insight, praising Bortoleto's performance in team meetings and his overall work ethic, which he observes more closely than outsiders.
• A different perspective: While many drivers are eager to move on from the current ground-effect cars, Hülkenberg admitted he will miss them, finding them "very fast, very spectacular and dynamic" despite the recent difficulties with following and racing.

What's next:

• The 2026 season marks a monumental shift for the team as it officially becomes the Audi works team, competing under a new set of technical regulations.
• All eyes will be on this driver pairing to see if their promising dynamic can translate into tangible results and help establish Audi as a new frontrunner in Formula 1.