Audi driver Nico Hülkenberg misses Q3 in Madrid qualifying

Audi's Formula 1 campaign faced challenges during the qualifying session in Madrid, where driver Nico Hülkenberg narrowly missed out on a top-10 start. Hülkenberg finished in 11th place, missing the Q3 cutoff by just 0.019 seconds to Arvid Lindblad of Racing Bulls.

Despite the qualifying setback, the team managed to secure a point during the race. Technical observations suggest that while the Audi chassis remains competitive, the engine power appears to be a limiting factor, with drivers noting a deficit of approximately 20 horsepower in the midfield. This point helps Audi in its battle for 7th place in the World Championship standings.

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner remains focused on long-term objectives, stating that the goal is to see the cars on the podium by 2028 and to challenge for the world title by 2030. Döllner also noted interest from potential investors looking to join the German team.