Bortoleto commits long-term, Sauber defends Audi

Gabriel Bortoleto has confirmed he will remain with Audi for "many years", shutting down speculation about the German manufacturer’s 2027 driver lineup.

"My future with Audi is already decided," the Brazilian said as the Hungarian GP weekend began.

"I will remain with the team for many years. I have a multi-year contract.

"I cannot disclose its duration, but if they want to make this information public, I am not against it."

"We have a long road ahead of us, many years of collaboration. I hope we will achieve many great victories in the future."

Nico Hulkenberg has also dismissed doubts about his own future.

So with Audi’s driver pairing now appearing settled, the man whose name the team carried for more than three decades also defended the progress being made behind the scenes.

"It’s not easy to start with a new engine formula and twice as many people, including in Hinwil," 82-year-old Peter Sauber told Blick.

"What’s important now is harmony within the team. And with Binotto, they seem to have the right man at the helm."

"From his long time at Ferrari, he understands how to build an engine, but also how to build a car. That gives him a big advantage over all the other team principals."

Retired Sauber also remarked that "James Key’s car is better than many people expected".

Bortoleto, meanwhile, has broken ranks with many of his fellow drivers by defending Formula 1’s controversial 2026 regulations.

He told Auto Hebdo he takes issue with drivers insisting they are having to adjust their natural "driving style".

"I don’t think an F1 driver should ever say that, because we should be able to adapt to any type of car, even if it doesn’t feel natural," said the 21-year-old.

"That’s why we do this. That’s why there are 22 F1 drivers in the world."

"Motorsport shouldn’t reflect a single way of driving. Just because you learned something in karting doesn’t mean you have to do it for the rest of your life."

He also rejected complaints that software now has too much influence over performance.

"We’re in Formula 1, aren’t we?" said Bortoleto. "We’re developing the technology of the future."

"If we don’t use all the tools available to us, I don’t know what Formula 1 is. People used to complain because the drivers had too much to do. Now that things are doing it for us, we complain that it’s the car doing it."

"I’m happy with the direction it’s going. I don’t think that should change."