Audi should theoretically suit the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, since the track is less power-sensitive than many on the Formula 1 calendar. However, according to the drivers, the team's biggest problem in the extreme conditions of Malaysia and Singapore is not outright power alone. Nico Hulkenberg said the climate is not favourable for Audi's power unit at the moment, and the FIA has issued a heat hazard declaration for Singapore, with temperatures of 31 degrees Celsius or higher forecast. Hulkenberg expects another challenging weekend and says his expectations are not too high. Asked whether cooling and the resulting loss of aerodynamic performance from opening up the bodywork was the cause, he said "No, I think we suffer from power."
Team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto agreed that heat is currently Audi's biggest limitation, especially in recent races. He said drivability and climatisation still need work, but that the first-season package is already decent. Bortoleto remains confident the team will fix the problems, pointing to Audi's past success in DTM and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He urged patience, arguing that building the best engine in a debut F1 year is unrealistic.
Meanwhile, the team has gained clarity on its major upgrade package introduced in Baku. Although the Baku circuit did not provide a representative picture, back-to-back tests in Malaysia showed the upgrade was a step forward. Bortoleto said it worked as expected across entry, mid-corner and exit, removing earlier doubts.
The findings suggest Audi is still refining its power unit, but its drivers see steady progress.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing