Gabriel Bortoleto has tempered expectations around Audi’s upcoming FIA-granted engine upgrades, insisting the changes will not dramatically alter the team’s fortunes this season.
The Brazilian driver made his comments in reference to the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities programme, known as ADUO, which the FIA introduced to help underperforming power unit manufacturers close the gap to their rivals.
The FIA has yet to officially confirm the full ADUO rankings, with the governing body still assessing findings and discussing results with teams and manufacturers ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
What has emerged is that Red Bull Powertrains has been labelled the benchmark engine for the 2026 regulations, a conclusion that reportedly surprised even the energy drink giants themselves.
With Red Bull Powertrains-Ford setting the standard, Audi, Honda, and Ferrari have all been ranked among the lowest of the sport’s five power unit providers, each earning two upgrade opportunities.
Reports in foreign media suggest Audi are planning to introduce an ADUO-related upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix, raising hopes among fans that the team could see a meaningful step forward.
However, Bortoleto quickly set the record straight, telling Julianne Cerasoli’s Pole Position column for UOL Esporte that the team intends to take a measured and gradual approach to the upgrades.
“We’ll bring things in gradually,” Bortoleto said, before adding: “But I don’t think anything big will happen this year.”
The Audi driver also made clear that the real benefit of the ADUO tokens is unlikely to materialise until the following seasons, stating: “Whatever we use from ADUO, I believe it will come in 2027 and 2028.”
Bortoleto described it as a focused effort, explaining: “That’s our task force, to put everything we have into it.”
He was candid about the limited short-term impact, noting: “For this year it will bring a little something here or there, but nothing that will change our lives.”
Mercedes currently sits between Red Bull and the bottom three manufacturers in the ADUO rankings, having been allocated one upgrade opportunity, while Ferrari, Audi, and Honda each received two.
The rankings mean that McLaren, Williams, Mercedes, and Alpine are all supplied by an engine classed as requiring one upgrade, adding further competitive intrigue to the midfield battle.
Audi’s situation is unique among the ADUO recipients, as the German manufacturer is the sole team running their own power unit with no other constructor relying on their engine supply.
With 2027 firmly in Bortoleto’s sights as the true horizon for ADUO gains, Audi appear to be taking a long-term view of their Formula 1 project rather than chasing short-term performance at the expense of future development.