Gabriel Bortoleto Praises £500k Audi Nuvolari Hypercar After Track Test

Gabriel Bortoleto has praised the sharp handling and predictable balance of the Audi Nuvolari after logging development miles in the £500,000 hypercar at Italy's Nardò circuit. The Audi F1 rookie, who has worked closely with teammate Nico Hulkenberg to refine the brand's most powerful road car ever, said the machine delivers the precision of a true performance package despite its extreme 987bhp output.

Why it matters:

The Nuvolari project is more than a halo car for Audi's return to top-flight motorsport. By placing its Grand Prix drivers at the center of development, Audi is creating a direct pipeline between racetrack feedback and road car engineering. That integration underscores how the manufacturer aims to align its Formula 1 project with its wider performance identity.

The details:

• Limited to just 499 examples, the Nuvolari produces 1,001 PS and is expected to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 2.6 seconds on its way to a 217 mph top speed.
• Bortoleto highlighted the car's lack of understeer and its neutral, precise cornering balance, noting that the aerodynamics and torque distribution feel seamlessly integrated.
• The Brazilian said the systems work together to give a driver exactly the response expected at the limit, calling it a "very complete package."
• Hulkenberg echoed the praise, citing the impressive potential of the high-performance hybrid powertrain and the car's unique character.

What's next:

Audi is continuing to finalize the Nuvolari ahead of its market launch, with the rare supercar serving as a flagship for the brand's engineering ambitions. As the German outfit presses on with its Formula 1 project, the crossover between its racing drivers and road car development offers a glimpse of how Audi intends to leverage its motorsport expertise across both sides of the business.