Nico Hulkenberg delivered a strong qualifying performance at the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, securing sixth place in a wet session at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. Due to grid penalties for George Russell and Charles Leclerc, Hulkenberg will start fourth on the grid, marking Audi’s best qualifying result this season.
The qualifying session was challenging, with rain affecting track conditions. Hulkenberg overcame technical difficulties on Friday that had limited his running, showing resilience and confidence in the car’s capabilities. He noted that the wet conditions played a role in the team’s performance, helping them extract a competitive lap time.
Reflecting on the session, Hulkenberg emphasized that there is still "all to play for" in the race. He expressed his intention to approach the Grand Prix with a clean race to maximize the result. Notably, Hulkenberg has a history at this circuit, having taken his only Formula 1® pole position here in 2010, also under wet conditions.
Meanwhile, Hulkenberg’s teammate Gabriel Bortoleto faced difficulties during qualifying. He crashed out in Q1 at Turn 12 after locking up on the wet track, causing damage that prevented him from continuing. Bortoleto expressed disappointment over the mistake and the resulting early exit from qualifying.
The session highlighted Audi’s progress in adapting to the tricky conditions and improving their qualifying pace. Hulkenberg’s recovery from Friday’s setbacks and the team’s best qualifying result of the year underline their potential to compete strongly in Sao Paulo.
Hulkenberg’s comments suggest a cautious but optimistic outlook, focusing on the opportunities that the starting position offers rather than making firm predictions. The qualifying results set the stage for an interesting race, with Audi positioned to challenge for points in a competitive field.
Overall, the qualifying session at Sao Paulo showcased the challenges of wet conditions and the importance of consistency. Hulkenberg’s experience and the team’s performance provide a solid platform as the weekend progresses.