Audi’s points drought continues as Hülkenberg finishes 11th in Austin

Audacious hopes of scoring points for the new Audi works team were dashed at the United States Grand Prix in Austin on Sunday, when Nico Hülkenberg finished a further 11th place. According to Formula1.com, the German driver’s race was compromised by a sub‑optimal launch off the grid, which forced him to lose valuable track position early on.

Hülkenberg, who returned to the grid after a two‑year hiatus, had been running competitively in the midfield during the early laps, but a sluggish start saw him drop several places behind the front‑row pack. By the time he recovered his rhythm, the race had settled into a rhythm that left little room for overtaking, especially on the high‑speed, low‑drag layout of the Circuit of the Americas.

Despite the setback, the Audi driver managed to keep the car on a clean tyre strategy and avoided major incidents, finishing just outside the points. The result marks Audi’s third consecutive race without a points finish, underscoring the growing pains of a new entrant trying to find the perfect balance between power and aerodynamics. Team principal Wolfgang Ullrich praised Hülkenberg’s composure but admitted that “the start cost us dearly” and that the team will focus on improving launch procedures for the next round.

For Indian fans, the race started at 02:30 IST and concluded around 04:30 IST. The event was streamed live on FanCode, which holds the exclusive digital rights for Formula 1 in India. Viewers can also catch re‑highlights and post‑race analysis on the FanCode app and YouTube channel.

Looking ahead, Audi will head to Mexico City for the next Grand Prix, where the high‑altitude circuit may present a different set of challenges and opportunities. Hülkenberg will be hoping that a stronger start can translate into a points finish, helping the team close the gap to the established midfield rivals.

Source: Formula1.com