Audi F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg believes the German model’s radical new automotive is “not one million miles away” from midfield as testing in Bahrain continues.
The long-lasting German model will make its F1 debut as a works crew this season after taking up the previous Sauber crew.
Audi made headlines on the primary day of its first Bahrain check this week, exhibiting off a radically new sidepod look in comparison with the one it ran at Shakedown in Barcelona.
Troubles proceed, together with a short stoppage for Nico Hulkenberg on Wednesday, however the automotive has to date accomplished greater than 200 laps between the German and teammate Gabriel Bortleto.
Audi has ‘made nice progress’ with its 2026 F1 automotive
Following Thursday’s check run in Bahrain, Hulkenberg feels he has achieved a “good step” with Audi because the Barcelona shakedown.
“No, it is utterly completely different,” he advised the official F1 web site when requested about Audi’s up to date automotive.
“I believe it is a good step ahead when it comes to efficiency and reliability to have the ability to accomplish that many laps in a automotive.
“We’ve got come a great distance from Barcelona to right here, and Bahrain is a really completely different circuit to Barcelona, with extra stop-and-go.”
“It is a very laborious and unforgiving monitor, with tough pavement, low grip, very windy roads and excessive monitor temperatures, which traditionally has uncovered many weaknesses in each automotive.
“I imply, there aren’t too many tracks with tougher situations than this. So this can be a actually good check.”
Hulkenberg added that the crew is “continually” engaged on creating new energy models, however that the crew feels the midfield battle shouldn’t be removed from taking form.
“Properly, we’re at all times engaged on the facility unit, making changes…or attempting to run completely different settings,” he stated.
“Nevertheless it actually occurs in phases, run by run. We attempt various things, give suggestions on the way it feels, tweak it once more, and run it once more. So in that sense, it is a true testing week.”
“When it comes to midfield, I believe we’re not one million miles other than what I can measure.
“Nevertheless it’s at all times troublesome to inform as a result of there’s a lot variation in lap occasions simply in power mode.
“Gasoline payload is at all times a query mark.
“So, I do not know, however I do know there is a lengthy technique to go and there is nonetheless a variety of work forward of us. I believe there’s much more potential as soon as issues calm down.”
