Nico Hulkenberg delivered Audi’s strongest performance of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Singapore Grand Prix, securing a seventh-place finish in the Sprint race and an eighth-place finish in the main Grand Prix. This marked the first time the Audi Revolut F1 Team scored points in both the Sprint and the main Grand Prix during a single race weekend. The German driver’s consistent points haul contributed significantly to the team’s championship standing.
The Singapore Grand Prix weekend, held from October 9-11, 2026, saw Hulkenberg navigate the Marina Bay Street Circuit effectively. His performance was a notable recovery following disappointing outings earlier in the season, particularly at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the Bahrain Grand Prix, where points opportunities were lost in the final laps.
During the Sprint race on Saturday, October 10, Hulkenberg secured two championship points by finishing seventh. The chaotic Sprint, won by Max Verstappen, saw George Russell crash out after initially taking the lead.
For the main Grand Prix on Sunday, October 11, Hulkenberg started from tenth position on the grid. This advantageous starting slot was partly due to a power unit penalty incurred by George Russell, who began the race from 19th.
Hulkenberg’s race was characterized by a strong start and an intuitive first lap. He gained multiple positions early on, overtaking Pierre Gasly and Arvid Lindblad.
‘I think not just at the start, but I had a good lap one, a good feeling today, an instinct as to where to go,’ Hulkenberg stated. ‘I think inside of Turn 2 and on the exit, I got another position. So yeah, that was nice and set us up for a good race.’
The Audi driver then maintained a competitive pace, managing the gap to the Racing Bulls and Alpine cars behind him. The midfield battle remained tight throughout the event.
In the closing stages of the Grand Prix, Hulkenberg faced significant pressure from Russell, who had climbed through the field from his compromised starting position. Despite Russell’s visibly superior pace, Hulkenberg executed a defensive masterclass.
Hulkenberg successfully held off the Mercedes driver, ultimately pulling away and even closing the gap to Liam Lawson ahead. He attributed this to finding a better rhythm and utilizing an ‘indirect tow’ on the straights to gain crucial top-end speed.
Audi Racing Director Allan McNish praised Hulkenberg’s performance, highlighting his extensive experience and strategic acumen. McNish noted that Hulkenberg’s ability to defend effectively without over-defending was a testament to his ‘racing brain’.
The six points accumulated across the Singapore weekend, two from the Sprint and four from the Grand Prix, increased Audi’s season total to 23 points. This result reduced the gap to seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship to seven points.
Audi officially entered Formula 1 in 2026, taking over the Sauber team. The Audi R26 car, driven by Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, has shown potential despite a mixed start to the season, which included reliability issues and challenges with race starts.
Mattia Binotto, Head of the Audi F1 project and Team Principal, has previously indicated that while the car’s pace is encouraging, areas such as start performance and energy management require further refinement. The Singapore results demonstrate progress in these critical areas.
