Nico Hulkenberg assessed the gamble of starting the Canadian Grand Prix on intermediate tires as "a risk worth taking," despite both he and teammate Gabriel Bortoleto finishing outside the points. Faced with uncertain weather conditions, they opted for intermediates while most others chose slick tires. As the rain subsided, their strategy backfired, leading to early pit stops and an inability to recover positions. Hulkenberg finished P12, while Bortoleto, despite a five-second penalty, also ended P13, leaving Audi ninth in the Constructors' standings with limited points so far.

By the Numbers
  • Hulkenberg started P11 and finished P12, unable to gain positions.
  • Bortoleto started P13 and finished P13, receiving a five-second penalty.
  • Currently, Audi ranks P9 in Constructors' standings, with only one points finish this season.
Yes, But

While Hulkenberg and Bortoleto defended their tire choice, critics point out that other teams successfully adapted to the changing conditions, highlighting a potential strategy miscalculation for Audi.

State of Play
  • Audi remains ninth in Constructors' standings, with only one points finish this season.
  • The team aims to analyze their performance to identify areas for improvement.
What's Next

Following a challenging weekend, Audi is likely focused on refining its race strategies and tire choice decisions as they prepare for the next Grand Prix, aiming to gain competitive traction.

Bottom Line

The gamble on intermediate tires may have been a misstep, but it reveals Audi's willingness to take risks in pursuit of performance, suggesting a need for better adaptability in future races.