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Gabriel Bortoleto in the Audi Revolut F1® Team car passes the Suzuka Circuit ferris wheel during track action.
28 March 2026

R03 | Qualifying in Suzuka

Bortoleto secures ninth as Hulkenberg narrowly misses final segment.

Q3 return confirms direction at Suzuka

Audi Revolut F1® Team translated its practice form into a competitive qualifying performance at Suzuka, returning to Q3 and securing a position inside the top ten.

Gabriel Bortoleto progressed through all three segments and set the ninth fastest time, maintaining the level of execution shown throughout the weekend so far. His laps built on a consistent balance, allowing him to carry speed through Suzuka’s high-speed sections.

Nico Hulkenberg came close to joining his team-mate in the final segment but missed the cut by a narrow margin. He will start the race from 13th on the grid, with the gap to Q3 underlining how tightly contested the midfield remains.

The result reflects the pace demonstrated across all three practice sessions and confirms the team’s direction heading into the weekend. With both cars positioned to compete, attention now shifts to race execution.

A closely fought race is expected, where strategy, tyre management and track position will shape the outcome.

R03 | Suzuka | Qualifying

GABRIEL BORTOLETO

P09

1:30.274 (Q3)

+1.496

Top down detail of Gabriel Bortoleto seated in the Audi Revolut F1® Team car, identified by his yellow and green helmet design, as the car waits in the pit lane.

R03 | Suzuka | Qualifying

NICO HULKENBERG

P13

1:30.387 (Q2)

+1.339

Nico Hulkenberg sits in the Audi Revolut F1® Team car inside the garage during FP3 in Japan, seen in profile through the halo with the silver bodywork and red-lit air intake standing out behind him.

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Gallery
Focus on qualifying
Gabriel Bortoleto stands in the Audi Revolut F1® Team garage wearing his race suit and red cap while people move around him.
Black and white image of Mattia Binotto being interviewed between two presenters in the paddock.
A larger group of Audi Revolut F1® Team crew members watch the session unfold on the garage screens.
Audi Revolut F1® Team crew members stand together in the garage watching the monitors during the Suzuka weekend.
Black and white view of the Audi Revolut F1® Team car from behind in the garage, framed by team members and the bright pit lane beyond.
Rear view of the Audi Revolut F1® Team car at the garage exit, glowing light reflected on the floor as crew members stand nearby.
Cherry blossoms frame the circuit as the Audi Revolut F1® Team car drives through Suzuka in the distance.
The Audi Revolut F1® Team car appears through blurred cherry blossom branches at Suzuka, with grandstands in the background.
Rear view of the Audi Revolut F1® Team car sweeping through a Suzuka corner beside the green, white, red, and blue curbs.
Gabriel Bortoleto in the Audi Revolut F1® Team car passes the Suzuka Circuit ferris wheel during track action.
The Audi Revolut F1® Team car speeds through Suzuka past cherry blossoms and grandstands in the background.
Gabriel Bortoleto drives the Audi Revolut F1® Team car down the pit lane at Suzuka during Formula 1 running.

“It’s been a good weekend so far and we are satisfied with where we are at the moment."

"I am very happy with Gabi reaching Q3 and disappointed that Nico didn’t quite make it, as he had the potential to be there. His lap was not perfect, but it was still a strong one and he came very close to making it into the top ten."

Black and white image of Mattia Binotto being interviewed between two presenters in the paddock.

Mattia Binotto

“The margins are tight, and overall, we should be pleased with the result. Looking ahead to tomorrow, our focus will be on the start. Overtaking is particularly challenging at this track, so executing our race well will be key. Each race this year is a new experience for us and an opportunity to learn, so we'll focus on our performance and see what we can achieve.”

“Qualifying always bunches up the field and today was no different - the margins are very fine."

"On my side, Q2 wasn’t clean enough across both runs, so we missed out on Q3. The car itself felt decent and I think we’re right in the mix. "

Close black and white portrait of Nico Hulkenberg adjusting his race top in the Audi Revolut F1® Team garage before qualifying.

Nico Hulkenberg

"It looks like we’ll be fighting around the edge of the top ten with a few other teams, so it should be an interesting race. The goal now is to stay clean, execute well and try to move forward tomorrow.”

"I'm very happy with today's qualifying, and with what the team has provided me in terms of overall package."

"We built confidence throughout Q1 and Q2, and put together some really solid laps. Of course, there is still some work to do in order to improve even further, some fine tuning to do, but it's a great feeling to be starting from the top ten tomorrow and be in the fight for a points finish."

Gabriel Bortoleto walks through a narrow, black corridor in Audi Revolut F1® Team kit, lit by bright ceiling strips in a dramatic black and white portrait.

Gabriel Bortoleto

"Tomorrow is a different day, clearly, but I am confident we can be in the mix. We have a couple of cars ahead that we know we can fight with on pace, and we’ll give it our best.”

Share the excitement.
Between pressure, precision and split seconds:

That was Qualifying in Suzuka.

Gabriel Bortoleto stands in the Audi Revolut F1® Team garage wearing his race suit and red cap while people move around him.
Black and white image of Mattia Binotto being interviewed between two presenters in the paddock.
A larger group of Audi Revolut F1® Team crew members watch the session unfold on the garage screens.
Audi Revolut F1® Team crew members stand together in the garage watching the monitors during the Suzuka weekend.
Black and white view of the Audi Revolut F1® Team car from behind in the garage, framed by team members and the bright pit lane beyond.
Rear view of the Audi Revolut F1® Team car at the garage exit, glowing light reflected on the floor as crew members stand nearby.
Cherry blossoms frame the circuit as the Audi Revolut F1® Team car drives through Suzuka in the distance.
The Audi Revolut F1® Team car appears through blurred cherry blossom branches at Suzuka, with grandstands in the background.
Rear view of the Audi Revolut F1® Team car sweeping through a Suzuka corner beside the green, white, red, and blue curbs.
Gabriel Bortoleto in the Audi Revolut F1® Team car passes the Suzuka Circuit ferris wheel during track action.
The Audi Revolut F1® Team car speeds through Suzuka past cherry blossoms and grandstands in the background.
Gabriel Bortoleto drives the Audi Revolut F1® Team car down the pit lane at Suzuka during Formula 1 running.
Close-up of Gabriel Bortoleto fastening his helmet strap in the Audi Revolut F1® Team garage, with a red-lit background behind him.
Audi Revolut F1® Team crew members in the garage look up toward screens, listening through headsets during an active session.
Two Audi Revolut F1® Team crew members share a hug in the garage while another team member works at a cabinet in the background.
Several Audi Revolut F1® Team crew members gather beneath the Gabriel Bortoleto garage sign, watching overhead screens during a garage session.
Audi Revolut F1® Team crew members stand beneath the garage gantry, clapping and looking up during preparations in the Formula 1 garage.
Nico Hulkenberg climbs into the car in the Audi Revolut F1® Team garage.
Gabriel Bortoleto stands over the car in the garage wearing full race gear before heading out.
Black and white garage shot of the Audi Revolut F1® Team car framed from the front with mechanics working around it.
Explore the highlights
High angle shot of a crew member walking alone across the Suzuka pit lane markings wearing a headset and team kit.




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