- Hulkenberg finished 11th after final-lap pass.
- Early switch to intermediate tyres gained places.
- Bortoleto damaged floor and front wing.
- Bortoleto received a 10-second penalty.
- Singapore Grand Prix follows next week.
The Audi Revolut F1 Team came close to another points finish at the Sepang International Circuit, in a race the team’s release calls the Bahrain Grand Prix. Monsoon downpours just before the start reshaped the race. Nico Hulkenberg crossed the line in 11th after losing a points position on the final lap. For South African followers of the German manufacturer’s Formula 1 project, the result points to progress with the R26 car without the points to show for it.
Audi tyre strategy in the Sepang rain
Torrential rain delayed track action, and teams faced a tyre choice at the restart. At the end of the formation lap, the Audi pit wall brought both cars in to swap dry tyres for intermediates. The move lifted Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto up the order as the conditions suited the intermediate rubber.
Racing Director Allan McNish said the conditions were “right on the edge, the crossover point between tyres”, and that “from the formation lap, it became clear to us that the intermediates were the correct choice”.
Hulkenberg loses a point on the final lap
Hulkenberg made use of the car’s race pace through a series of wheel-to-wheel battles and climbed as high as ninth in the closing laps. A final safety-car restart reopened the race, and he defended his position on worn tyres. Lindblad passed him on the last lap, leaving him 11th. McNish noted it was the second race running that the team had missed points on the final lap. Hulkenberg said the team only reached a points position because of trouble for cars ahead, and that it was always a long shot.
Bortoleto damage and time penalty
Bortoleto’s race was compromised by contact with Carlos Sainz at the restart, which damaged his floor and front wing and required an additional pit stop. Despite the loss of downforce and a 10-second penalty, the Brazilian brought his R26 to the chequered flag. He apologised to Sainz after the race.
Audi Revolut F1 Team heads to Singapore
The team now moves to the final leg of the Asian triple-header at next week’s Singapore Grand Prix, where it will aim to return to the top 10.
Supplied by QuickPic (Audi)
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