The Audi Formula 1 team has officially locked in its driver lineup for the 2027 season, confirming that Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto will remain behind the wheel. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, Audi Formula 1 head Mattia Binotto confirmed that the current pairing is secured through pre-existing contractual obligations.
Binotto noted that the continuation of both drivers was already established. “We knew that there would be no change, because both drivers were already under contract [for 2027],” Binotto said, as reported by Motorsport.com. “We therefore never announced what next year looks like, because there was no need for it.”
Contractual Continuity at Audi
Both Hülkenberg and Bortoleto initially joined the Sauber organization ahead of the 2025 season on multi-year agreements before the team officially transitions into the Audi works outfit for the 2026 campaign. While exact contract lengths have not been made public, Binotto’s confirmation solidifies the garage stability as the German manufacturer continues its development in the sport.
Performance Evaluation and Team Dynamics
Binotto offered high praise for Hülkenberg, who will celebrate his 40th birthday next year. The racer’s career spans back to his 2010 debut as a highly touted junior, though a move to Ferrari earlier in his career did not come to fruition. After contesting well over 200 grands prix without a podium, Hülkenberg finally broke through last season by finishing third at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone with Audi’s predecessor, Sauber.
“Nico consistently delivers his performance and makes very few mistakes,” Binotto stated, highlighting the driver’s racecraft. “He always extracts the potential of the car and scores points whenever possible. He has sold himself well so far.”
By contrast, Bortoleto approaches his formative years in the pinnacle of motorsport. The young Brazilian driver, who turns 22 soon, made an immediate impact by claiming a ninth-place finish and securing Audi’s maiden championship points during his debut weekend at the Australian Grand Prix. Hülkenberg later matched that result with a ninth-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
“Gabi is still in the learning phase. With him, we have to look more closely at his development and his development pace,” Binotto explained regarding the driver’s trajectory. “But his self-confidence is growing from race to race. He is getting faster and making few mistakes—but that is part of the learning phase.”
Constructors’ Standing and 2026 Season Context
Across 14 of the 23 scheduled race weekends in the 2026 season, the Audi duo has combined for 17 World Championship points. The team strung together a consistent scoring run across four consecutive rounds stretching from Silverstone through Zandvoort, positioning the squad ahead of three rival constructors in the current standings, including Williams and Aston Martin.
With the 2027 lineup fully settled, Audi turns its immediate focus back to the ongoing 2026 championship battle on the streets of Baku, where track action for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix continues through the weekend.
Worth a look
