Gabriel Bortoleto emphasized the profound transformation experienced by the Audi squad since its entry into Formula 1 this year, following Audi’s full assumption of Sauber. According to the Brazilian, the shift goes far beyond branding, directly affecting the mindset and the way work is approached within the operation.
Audi took control of Sauber at the start of the new generation of power unit regulations in 2026, significantly altering the team’s structure. Bortoleto stated that the backing of the German manufacturer changed the financial landscape and brought more ambitious goals for the project.
“You can really see a difference, especially the mindset has changed a lot. I have a great deal of respect for the team we had last year and in the many years prior, but the truth, the reality, is that we are in a different situation now,” Bortoleto stated.
The Brazilian driver highlighted that Audi began providing financial resources and manufacturing infrastructure, in addition to developing its own power unit. For him, this eliminated the difficulties previously faced by the operation and also changed the way the team members work: “We have Audi’s backing. It is a factory team now. We’re building our own engine. We have substantial financial support from them, so we are not facing the kind of challenge Sauber might have faced in the past,” he said.
Bortoleto also drew attention to the work carried out in Neuburg, where the power unit development facility is based. He described the results achieved by the team in its first year in the category and under the new regulations as ‘incredible,’ and noted that there has been a significant shift in how people work: “I can really see the difference between last year and this year, in the way people are behaving and working differently,” he added.
Despite the advances, the Brazilian acknowledged that Audi still needs to evolve. Bortoleto stated that the team knows it is behind and that there are points to improve, but he valued the work done so far: “We still know we need to improve. We need to do better. We know we are behind, but it’s not easy to do what they did at the factory. I tip my hat to them, and we will keep pushing and working this way,” he added.
