Audi F1 Drivers Hulkenberg and Bortoleto Test Nuvolari Supercar in Monaco

Ahead of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, Audi F1 drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto sampled the marque’s highly anticipated Nuvolari supercar. Named after pre-war racing legend Tazio Nuvolari, the limited-production machine produces 1,001 PS from a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 hybrid powertrain and serves as a tangible link between Audi’s road car pedigree and its fledgling works Formula 1 project.

Why it matters:

Audi’s decision to spotlight the Nuvolari during the Monaco GP weekend reflects a strategy to reinforce brand prestige while the F1 team fights through a difficult debut season.

• The squad sits ninth in the constructors' standings, with Bortoleto 15th and Hulkenberg 18th in the drivers' championship.
• Yellow accents on the R26 livery and a special helmet for Hulkenberg pay tribute to Tazio Nuvolari, underscoring the brand’s historic motorsport ties while on-track results remain elusive.

The details:

• The Nuvolari is powered by a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 producing 1,001 PS, with a top speed exceeding 350 km/h.
• It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 2.6 seconds and reaches 200 km/h in 6.8 seconds.
• Driver Feedback: Bortoleto praised the car’s neutral balance and clean turn-in, noting the lack of understeer despite the extreme performance level. Hulkenberg highlighted how precisely the car responds and how well performance complements overall drivability.
• System Integration: Both drivers noted that aerodynamics and torque distribution operate in concert, pointing to sophisticated electronic coordination between the hybrid powertrain and chassis.

What's next:

Attention returns to the struggling R26 program. Hulkenberg qualified 13th and Bortoleto 16th for the Monaco Grand Prix, placing both drivers outside realistic points contention on a circuit where overtaking is virtually impossible. With Audi still chasing its first points of the 2026 season, extracting more pace from the race car remains the urgent priority.