Audi drivers react to frightening near miss: 'Too close for comfort'

The Dutch GP's opening lap brought a near miss for Audi at Zandvoort. Rain-soaked conditions sent Verstappen into the wall and Bortoleto into a spin, leaving Hulkenberg blind in smoke. A last-second swerve avoided disaster.

Why it matters:

The incident could have wiped out both Audis. Instead, it showcased composure under pressure and yielded the team's best result of the season — a sign of progress for Audi.

The details:

• Bortoleto spun after reacting to Verstappen's crash, then completed a 360-degree spin without hitting the wall.
• Hulkenberg, blinded by smoke, pulled left at the last moment: "A good portion of luck not to hit each other there. But that was too close for comfort."
• Bortoleto: "I lost the car, lost a few positions. I thought I was going to crash, but the banking helped me keep on the low side."
• Audi racing director Allan McNish called it "a bit too much 'Days of Thunder' for my heart," adding that both drivers did well.

The big picture:

Hulkenberg finished eighth, his best of the year; Bortoleto took 13th. McNish stressed: "To be able to come away with points is very satisfying because that could quite easily be the other way."

The result gives Audi a timely boost and shows the team can turn chaos into a positive outcome.