Audi's McNish: Bortoleto's Mental Strength and Work Ethic Set Him Apart

Allan McNish has outlined why Gabriel Bortoleto is becoming the kind of driver Audi can build its Formula 1 project around. The Brazilian has turned his intra-team battle with Nico Hulkenberg on its head this season, leading the veteran 10-2 at the 2026 summer break after a difficult rookie campaign.

Why it matters:

Audi remains in the early stages of its F1 journey and needs drivers who can extract maximum performance from an underdeveloped package while pushing the team forward. McNish sees Bortoleto's analytical approach and mental resilience as exactly the traits required to accelerate that process.

The details:

• Bortoleto has flipped the points battle against Hulkenberg, trailing 51-19 last year but now enjoying a 10-2 advantage in 2026.
• He scored Audi's best result of the season at Spa-Francorchamps, taking eighth after qualifying ninth at a circuit where the team expected its new power unit to struggle.
• McNish pointed to Bortoleto's F2 Qatar race as a defining example of his composure. After receiving a five-second penalty for crossing the pit exit white line while leading, he recovered mentally to cross the line first before the penalty ultimately dropped him to third.
• The 21-year-old builds his speed methodically through sessions, a habit McNish says is visible in his qualifying progression.
• Away from the track, McNish praised his relentless work ethic and positive presence, noting he would happily spend January 2 in the simulator working with his engineer.
• The pairing with Hulkenberg is described as an ideal mix, combining Bortoleto's youthful enthusiasm with the German's veteran instinct.

What's next:

Bortoleto's mental toughness and consistent improvement offer Audi a rare bit of certainty during a turbulent rebuild. If he maintains this trajectory through the second half of 2026, the team will have proof it has found a driver capable of leading it up the grid as the car evolves.