Hulkenberg: True F1 pecking order only clear after Melbourne qualifying

Nico Hulkenberg believes Audi's true position in the Formula 1 pecking order will only become clear when teams show their full hand in qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix, cautioning that even then, the full picture may take several races to develop. Despite a solid pre-season test showing, the veteran driver emphasized that testing times are speculative and that track characteristics will play a significant role in early performance evaluations.

Why it matters:

As a new works team for 2026, setting realistic expectations is crucial for Audi. Hulkenberg's tempered outlook highlights the immense challenge of entering F1's top tier and managing the hype after promising test sessions. His comments underscore that testing is primarily for data collection and system checks, not for determining true competitive standings, which are often masked by varying fuel loads and engine modes.

The Details:

• Audi completed a reliable pre-season, with Hulkenberg and teammate Gabriel Bortoleto covering 357 laps across testing—more than rivals Red Bull and Ferrari managed in the final Bahrain session.
• The team appeared to slot into the front of the midfield during testing, with times close to Alpine's Pierre Gasly.
• Hulkenberg explicitly stated the competitive picture remains "hypothetical" and "speculation" until all teams reveal their ultimate pace in qualifying conditions.
• He noted performance could be "quite track dependent" initially, meaning the car's competitiveness may fluctuate between different circuit layouts.
• The German driver acknowledged the team's hard work over the winter, particularly in integrating the new power unit, but stressed there is "a lot of room for improvement."

What's next:

All focus now shifts to the season opener in Melbourne on March 6-8, where qualifying will provide the first genuine benchmark. Hulkenberg expressed hope that Audi is "competitive somewhere in the midfield right now," but reiterated that the team is still on a steep learning curve. The opening flyaway races in Australia, China, and Japan will be critical for Audi to gather real-world racing data, understand their car's strengths and weaknesses across different tracks, and solidify their development direction for the 2026 season.