Nico Hulkenberg secured Audi's first Formula 1 points of the 2026 season with a determined drive to ninth place in the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, finally breaking the German manufacturer's scoreless streak after a difficult opening half of the campaign.
The 38-year-old German, who started 10th on the grid, executed a two-stop strategy to perfection, climbing through the field on softer compound tyres in the closing stages to finish ninth and claim two points — the first points scored by the Audi factory team since entering F1 as a full constructor in 2026 after acquiring the Sauber operation.
"It's been a long time coming this season," Hulkenberg said. "There were many occasions and opportunities this year where it should've happened but it didn't for various reasons, so that was annoying but that's racing sometimes for you. I and the team knew it's there — it was just a matter of time and putting it together. Finally, the piece fell into place."
The result moves Audi ahead of Williams into eighth place in the constructors' championship heading into the summer break. Hulkenberg's performance was built on a strong qualifying session that put him inside the top 10 for the first time in several races, giving him the track position needed to convert potential into points.
The German driver overhauled team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad in the final phase of the 70-lap race, using the superior grip of the soft tyre to make decisive overtaking moves at Turn 1 and Turn 2. Bortoleto, who finished 11th after attempting an ambitious one-stop strategy, described his race as "tough" after struggling with severe tyre degradation on the hard compound during his middle stint.
Audi have now scored points in three consecutive race weekends, following Bortoleto's eighth-place finishes at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps — a clear sign that the team's upward trajectory is gaining momentum. Bortoleto's consistency combined with Hulkenberg's breakthrough result gives the team genuine cause for optimism heading into the latter part of the season.
Sources
- Formula1.com — 'It's been a long time coming' – Hulkenberg reflects on scoring first points for Audi in Hungarian GP: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/its-been-a-long-time-coming-hulkenberg-reflects-on-scoring-first-points-for-audi-in-hungarian-gp.5JaHF3404ebIJQn5rbWhDm
