Rookie sensation 'impresses' teammate: 'From the very first weekend!'

12:31, 05 Jan

byKada Sarkozi

Nico Hulkenberg was impressed by his teammate Gabriel Bortoleto's rookie season in Formula 1.

"He's been very competitive on tracks that he didn't know, that he's never raced on. [He’s] a very fast learner, his speed, his consistency."

- Nico Hulkenberg

The experienced Hulkenberg was paired with the Formula 2 champion during the 2025 season, before their team became Audi for the upcoming campaign.

The German had nothing but praise for the young talent, who achieved his best result at the Hungaroring in 2025. He told GPblog: "I'm impressed from the beginning, from the first race weekend.

"He's been very competitive on tracks that he didn't know, that he's never raced on. [He’s] a very fast learner, his speed, his consistency.

"Obviously the latter part of the season, there has been some ups and downs for him, but in general just about his work ethic, his speed.

"He's come in as a very young, hungry guy and it's just been impressive all around for me. I obviously see him a lot closer than the outside world does, also in meetings and how he operates, so it's been impressive."

A new chapter awaits both drivers in 2026, as Audi will compete in the Formula 1 season under the new regulations.

Hulkenberg in the F1 paddock - Photo: Race Pictures

Hulkenberg will miss the ground-effect cars

While many drivers are happy to see the ground-effect cars go, Hulkenberg was not among them.

He explained: "Obviously this year, following and therefore racing has become a little bit too difficult and too sensitive. That was a bit of a pity. But over the last few years, of course, they've been ground-effect stiff, but to be honest, I didn't mind that.

"I think they were very fast, very spectacular and dynamic, especially now in the last years, breaking a lot of lap time records."

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