Audi's Formula 1 team is grappling with persistent power unit shortcomings, particularly poor race starts, as acknowledged by team principal Mattia Binotto. In the Japanese Grand Prix, drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg dropped several positions off the line despite solid qualifying. Binotto emphasized that no short-term miracles are possible, even under the FIA's ADUO framework.
Audi's power unit features a relatively large turbo compressor, which trades higher boost pressure for greater inertia and slower spool-up. This hampers launches and demands more from the electrical systems throughout laps, leaving the team at a disadvantage against rivals. In Japan, Bortoleto fell from eighth to 13th by the end of the first lap, while Hulkenberg slipped from 13th to 19th. Binotto described it as 'a poor start' and not the first occurrence, calling it a top priority but not an obvious fix. 'It's certainly not our strength,' he said. 'We had a good quali and now it's not worthwhile having good starting positions if we are losing all the positions at the start.'
