“Obviously, we know we still need to improve our engine a little bit. We have a very good car, it seems, in the corners and everything. But we are behind with the engine. We know that, of course, within the team. We are motivated to improve. We have already taken steps with that. But we have to work. And that’s it, we have to accept that sometimes I was able to compete against some cars and other cars I suffered a little more. But still it was a fun race. Many overtakes.”
Gabriel Bortoleto to UOL Esporte
The point at which it became clear that Audi doesn’t yet have an engine as strong as other competitors came in the final laps, when Bortoleto closed in significantly on Arvid Lindblad, despite having much newer tires, and was unable to pass. When questioned by UOL Esporte about the dynamics of this battle, the Brazilian’s team principal, Jonathan Wheatley, explained that the energy delivery of the Audi engine isn’t at the same level as the Red Bull Powertrains unit used by Racing Bulls’ Lindblad.
Car performance is heavily reliant on engine efficiency in this regard. The more efficient the engine, the better the energy recovery and power distribution. A more efficient engine tends to have more energy available throughout the lap or utilize it more intensely.
“What I would say is that the way the Racing Bulls drivers are using their energy is very different from the way we are doing it at the moment. I consider at some point everyone will be doing the same thing at the same time. It was fascinating to spot Gabi experimenting with different things. The way he managed his energy on the last lap may have worked, but it didn’t place him in a position to overtake at the conclude.”
Jonathan Wheatley, Audi team principal
The British team boss as well highlighted how quickly Bortoleto, who started tenth, is adapting to the new regulations.
“He learns fast, and I’ve said before about his work ethic, but I think I should mention it now because he spent the whole month of January in the simulator at the factory in Germany and in Switzerland. He was based there. He could have stayed in Brazil for longer, but he demonstrated a tremendous work ethic.”
Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto is quickly learning the nuances of Formula 1, acknowledging engine performance as a key area for improvement after a competitive debut. Despite a strong car in the corners, Bortoleto noted his team is currently lagging behind in engine power, as he told UOL Esporte that he was able to compete with some drivers but struggled against others.
The gap in engine performance became particularly evident in the closing stages of the race when Bortoleto, on fresher tires, was unable to overtake Arvid Lindblad. Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley explained that the energy delivery of their engine doesn’t currently match the Red Bull Powertrains unit used by Racing Bulls. Efficient energy recovery and power distribution are crucial for maximizing performance, and Wheatley noted the difference in how Racing Bulls drivers are currently managing their energy.
Despite the engine challenges, Wheatley praised Bortoleto’s rapid adaptation to the new regulations and his dedication to improvement. The rookie spent the entire month of January honing his skills in the team’s simulators in Germany and Switzerland, demonstrating a “tremendous work ethic” as he gets up to speed in the series.
