Nico Hulkenberg has expressed his frustration over another disappointing start that derailed Audi’s chances of scoring points at the Japanese Grand Prix, where the German driver came agonizingly close to the top-10 finish that had eluded him through the season’s opening three rounds. Starting from 13th on the grid at Suzuka, Hulkenberg plummeted to 19th position during the chaotic opening lap, ultimately climbing back to finish 11th – just one second away from the points-paying positions.
The veteran driver acknowledged that his poor getaway fundamentally compromised his entire race strategy, leaving him trapped in heavy traffic for much of the 53-lap contest. “It was just a really poor start, which obviously is quite compromising for the rest of the race, being in quite heavy traffic,” Hulkenberg explained. He highlighted the ongoing challenges of overtaking in modern Formula 1, noting how drivers can execute brilliant moves only to become “sitting ducks” on the following straight due to energy deployment regulations.
Hulkenberg’s struggles were mirrored by teammate Gabriel Bortoleto, who suffered his own disappointing start after qualifying an impressive ninth position. The Brazilian rookie ultimately finished 13th, acknowledging that starting difficulties have plagued both Audi drivers since the season opener. “For me and Nico, we have been struggling a lot since race one. We are working on it – the team is working hard on that,” Bortoleto admitted, emphasizing that the team needs more time to address their fundamental issues.
The Japanese Grand Prix marked Audi’s first race following the immediate departure of Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley, adding another layer of complexity to an already challenging period for the Hinwil-based squad. With the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix postponed until April, Hulkenberg views the upcoming break as a crucial opportunity for development. “We definitely have a lot of work ahead,” he stated, expressing hope that the extended period between races will allow the team to make meaningful progress before the next round in Miami.