Audi Revolut F1® Team car R26 on the racetrack at the Monaco Grand Prix 2026

06 June 2026

2026 Monaco Grand Prix: Saturday

Top ten potential evident despite a challenging position.

Potential evident, opportunities remain.

Audi Revolut F1® Team was unable to fully convert its pace into a representative qualifying result for the Monaco Grand Prix. Nico Hulkenberg secured P13, just ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto in P16. After consistently running inside the top ten throughout practice, the team once again demonstrated its competitiveness. Gabriel’s final Q1 attempt ended early following contact with the barrier, while Nico, having shown strong pace with P6 in Q2, was unable to build on that performance after sustaining damage while pushing for Q3. On a circuit where overtaking is limited, starting position presents a challenge. At the same time, the underlying pace provides a foundation for the race. The focus now shifts to making the most of any opportunity on Sunday and working back towards the points.

“Qualifying did not fully reflect the potential we showed over the course of the weekend."

"Unfortunately, Gabi touched the wall on the entry to the Turn 9 chicane in Q1, which damaged the suspension and brought his session to an early end."

Audi Revolut F1® Team driving director Allan McNish walks out of the team garage during Monaco Grand Prix qualifying.

Gabriel Bortoleto

"On Nico’s side, he had a strong first segment of the session, with P6 in Q1, but we were not quite able to find the pace we had shown previously and ultimately qualified P13."

Gabriel Bortoleto

“Both cars had been consistently in the top ten throughout the practice sessions, so today’s outcome is even more disappointing – but this is the challenge this track poses. Monaco is one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar and can be incredibly unforgiving..."

Gabriel Bortoleto

"...whether through traffic, track position or the smallest mistake, and we experienced some of those challenges today. Tomorrow’s race will be difficult starting where we are, rather than from where we would have been, had we been able to get the most out of our pace.”

"Obviously, I'm disappointed with today's qualifying result."

"Coming into the session, things were looking a lot more promising, so it's frustrating not to have converted that into a stronger grid position."

Nico Hülkenberg stands smiling beside the Audi Revolut F1® Team car R26 inside the garage.

Nico Hulkenberg

"In the final run, we were a bit unlucky with traffic, which certainly didn't help, but that's part of qualifying around Monaco and there wasn't much I could do about it."

Nico Hulkenberg

"More generally, we were carrying some damage on the car, which certainly didn't help. Nevertheless, we expected to be a bit more competitive, so we'll need to look through everything and understand exactly how much it impacted us and where the performance went."

Nico Hulkenberg

“Tomorrow will be challenging from where we start, but Monaco can always create opportunities, so we'll stay focused and look to make the most of whatever comes our way."

"I'm sorry for the team because they've done an incredible job all weekend and deserved to see our car in the top 10."

"Unfortunately, I wasn't able to deliver that today. We had the pace to fight for a place in the top 10, but I took a few too many risks in Q1 and clipped the wall going into the Swimming Pool chicane."

Gabriel Bortoleto

"That ultimately damaged the suspension and ended the session for me. It’s the sort of mistake that can be understandable in Q3, when you’re pushing to the limit, but not so early in the session."

Gabriel Bortoleto

"Starting position is crucial in Monaco, we knew it well going into qualifying. I am aware tomorrow won't be easy, but our pace has been encouraging all weekend, and we'll keep fighting to try and make up as much ground as possible."