Spirited pace in Monaco sets up Audi Revolut F1 for a strong Barcelona bounce-back

• Both Audi Revolut F1 Team drivers showcased the pace required to consistently fight for points in Monte Carlo
• Exceptional crew teamwork overcame a pre-race technical glitch, allowing Gabriel Bortoleto to mount an impressive recovery drive to finish 12th.
• The team’s performance provides immense confidence ahead of next week’s Spanish Grand Prix. 

Johannesburg, JUNE 2026 – The Audi Revolut F1 Team is channelling the undeniable speed shown at the Monaco Grand Prix into momentum for the upcoming rounds. In a race that featured multiple Safety Cars, a red flag and a tense late-race restart, the team looked to have secured a well-deserved top 10 finish. Nico Hülkenberg crossed the line in a brilliant 9th place, but a subsequent post-race penalty unfortunately demoted the German driver to 14th.

On the other side of the garage, Gabriel Bortoleto delivered a masterclass in resilience. When his car failed to launch during pre-race procedures, a swift, clinical intervention by the pit crew ensured he could take the start from the pit lane. From there, Bortoleto drove a patient, calculated race, steadily carving his way through the field to claim 12th at the checkered flag.

While the team leaves the Principality without the points to match their weekend-long pace, the underlying performance on one of motorsport’s most unforgiving tracks serves as a major confidence boost. Audi Revolut F1 heads straight to Barcelona next week fully reassured of its competitive edge and ready to convert pace into points.

Allan McNish, Racing Director: “We know that, in Monaco, qualifying and grid position largely dictate the outcome of the race, and unfortunately we started today out of position relative to the pace we had in the car.

“Gabriel’s car stopped on the way to the grid, which meant he had to start from the pit lane. From there, it became a race of attrition, and we were looking for any opportunities that might come our way, knowing how difficult overtaking is around Monaco. He kept pushing throughout and gained valuable experience on a challenging weekend.

“On Nico’s side, we showed good pace and made an early switch to the hard tyre; in clean air, he showed very strong pace but once he caught up with the back of the midfield pack there was little opportunity to make progress. The red flag reshuffled the race, and, after the restart, he was involved in an incident at the hairpin that resulted in a 10-second penalty. It was a harsh outcome given the circumstances, particularly as it ultimately cost him a points finish after a determined drive.

“The result doesn’t reflect the pace we showed this weekend, but there are positives to take forward as we focus on the next race.”

Nico Hülkenberg (Car 27): “It’s a disappointing way to end the weekend. For a while it looked like we made our way into the points, but the penalty put an end to that. After the restart, with only a handful of laps remaining, it was always going to get quite intense. I had to react to avoid the car ahead and moved to the inside, but once I was there, I was at full lock and there wasn’t
anywhere else for me to go. Carlos was on the outside and we made contact. It’s frustrating because the pace we showed earlier in the weekend was encouraging, but unfortunately, we couldn’t convert that into a result”

Gabriel Bortoleto (Car 5): “My race was effectively compromised before it really began. I had an issue as I was preparing for my practice starts and the car shut off: the crew did a great job to get it going again, but I had to start from the pitlane, and around Monaco that makes life very difficult. Once you are caught in traffic, opportunities are extremely limited and I spent most of the race unable to make progress.

“That was disappointing, and it added to the frustration from yesterday’s qualifying. The positive is that we showed good pace and a good package over the weekend. I think the team did a great job overall this weekend and would have deserved a lot more for it: to have both cars reach the finish is positive, and the crew did an excellent job overnight to repair the damage from qualifying and get my car ready to race. There are lessons to take away, but I am encouraged by what we achieved as a team and by the progress we continue to make.”

Audi reveals the Nuvolari at the Monaco Grand Prix

In the run-up to the F1 race in Monaco, Audi unveiled the Nuvolari – the fastest and most powerful supercar in the brand’s history. Both drivers for the Audi Revolut F1 Team also attended the presentation of the near-production prototype on the Côte d’Azur in France – Hülkenberg and Bortoleto have already tested the Audi Nuvolari.

With the Nuvolari, Audi is launching its first supercar with a high-performance hybrid powertrain – further accelerating technological progress. With 736 kW and a top speed of more than 350 km/h, the Nuvolari is set to become the most powerful and fastest production vehicle in the history of the four rings.

The Audi Nuvolari accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.6 seconds and reaches 200 km/h in 6.8 seconds. These figures are enabled by a range of innovations inspired by Formula 1, including the high-performance hybrid powertrain, quattro predictive ride, active aerodynamics, and the new Audi Space Frame (ASF) with carbon exterior.

“With the Audi Nuvolari, we are accelerating technological progress,” says Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG. “It shows what is possible when the focus is on technology, performance, and execution through teamwork – and when we achieve progress together.”

“The Audi Nuvolari looks cool and unique, says Nico Hülkenberg. “For me, what truly counts is the overall package – that is, how the car feels, how precisely it responds, and how well performance and drivability complement each other. The Nuvolari really has a lot to offer. It’s exciting to see just how much potential this car has, and the power of the high-performance hybrid powertrain – with over 730 kW – is truly impressive.”

Gabriel Bortoleto echoed Hülkenberg: “Running the Nuvolari at Nardò and working closely with the development team on the setup was a really great experience. What stands out immediately is how clean and predictable the car feels on turn-in. There’s basically no understeer, which is impressive given the level of performance. The balance stays very neutral and precise, giving you the confidence to carry speed through the corners. You can clearly feel how the different systems – especially the aerodynamics and torque distribution – work together as one. Overall, it’s a very complete package and a car that responds exactly the way you expect as a driver.”

Global deliveries of the supercar, limited to 499 units, will begin in the first half of 2027.