Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi): His interim assessment of the chassis and engine

Audi currently sits ninth in the Constructors’ Championship, behind Haas and Williams but ahead of Aston Martin and Cadillac. However, the two championship points scored by Gabriel Bortoleto at the season-opening race in Australia are the only points the Silver Bolts have secured so far. Nico Hülkenberg is still without any points after seven Grand Prix weekends.

With greater consistency and a bit of luck, Audi could be on a par with Haas, who are currently seventh in the championship with 21 points.

Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto has taken stock of the season so far for the brand with the four rings as the summer approaches. The 21-year-old Brazilian says: “As far as the race car is concerned, we’re well positioned with the chassis. I wouldn’t go so far as to say this is a chassis that will win races and world championship titles, but it’s been clear from the very first race – we have a very good car with reliable balance.”

Gabriel Bortoleto

Foto: Audi

“As for the engine, I think we’ve done a brilliant job – after all, we started from scratch – but when we’re up against other teams now, the lack of power is noticeable. Sometimes it’s just difficult because it feels as though we’re constantly having to chase the competition.”

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Are we talking here about the raw power of the V6 combustion engine or about energy management on the electric side? The South American continues: “I reckon it’s a bit of everything. There isn’t a single issue that stands out as a major problem. We’re simply lacking power. And that’s crystal clear when you look at the data – not just our own, but also the public GPS data available to us from our rivals. We have lots of small areas here and there that, by the end of a lap, make a big difference.”