{"id":601752,"date":"2026-04-12T09:08:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T09:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/601752\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T09:08:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T09:08:10","slug":"nico-hulkenberg-says-2026-formula-1-cars-fun-and-frustrating-as-audi-battles-energy-limits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/601752\/","title":{"rendered":"Nico Hulkenberg says 2026 Formula 1 cars “fun and frustrating” as Audi battles energy limits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nico Hulkenberg has delivered a measured verdict on Formula 1\u2019s 2026 regulations<\/a>, describing the new energy management demands as both \u201cfun\u201d and \u201cfrustrating\u201d after a challenging start to the season with Audi.<\/p>\n

Three rounds into this campaign, the paddock remains divided on the new generation of cars, with drivers split between praise and criticism as teams continue to adapt to the complex balance between deployment and harvesting.<\/p>\n

Spearheading Audi’s first foray in Formula 1, Hulkenberg summed up that tension from the cockpit: \u201cWith the energy stuff, in a way, it\u2019s interesting and fun, but at the same time, it\u2019s also weird and frustrating.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do the move, but you\u2019re just; you really have to pick your fights, and it\u2019s so easy to overspend and get a big de rate and be a sitting duck.\u201d<\/p>\n

The German veteran highlighted the unpredictable racing dynamic created by the new systems: \u201cSometimes, the closing speeds are really immense. So I don\u2019t know. The race was probably entertaining on TV. There was probably lots going on, but it\u2019s different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starts and execution costing Audi valuable points\"2026<\/p>\n

While Audi\u2019s debut season has shown flashes of promise, including strong qualifying pace from Gabriel Bortoleto and potential midfield contention, execution remains a limiting factor.<\/p>\n

Hulkenberg pointed directly to the new start procedures as a key weakness, one that cost him a potential points finish in Japan<\/a>: \u201cI think with a regular start, there were obviously points on the table, which is disappointing and frustrating.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, we need to get on top of that. It\u2019s a work in progress and more work on that side, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

He admitted that understanding the underlying issues remains ongoing: \u201cI know I had a poor start, but I don\u2019t know the particulars, the ins and outs. I need to have a look and speak with the engineers, but it\u2019s obviously a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a rare break in the calendar following the cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Hulkenberg and Audi now have time to address those weaknesses before racing resumes in Miami.<\/p>\n

For a team still learning the demands of Formula 1\u2019s new era, that window could prove critical as they look to convert potential into points. (Quotes from Agnes Carlier at Suzuka)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nico Hulkenberg has delivered a measured verdict on Formula 1\u2019s 2026 regulations, describing the new energy management demands…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":601753,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[573],"tags":[64,226253,63,817,236469,813,816,1000,852,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-601752","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-formula-1","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-audi-revolut-f1-team","10":"tag-australia","11":"tag-f1","12":"tag-f1-drivers-news","13":"tag-formula-1","14":"tag-formula1","15":"tag-interview","16":"tag-nico-hulkenberg","17":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/601752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=601752"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/601752\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/601753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=601752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=601752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=601752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}