Hulkenberg targets Brazil podium after fourth on grid

Nico Hulkenberg will start fourth at Interlagos after a strong qualifying recovery that followed a Friday without running due to technical problems. Sixth place in Saturday's rain-affected session was promoted to fourth by grid penalties for George Russell and Charles Leclerc. It is Audi's best qualifying result of the 2026 season, and Hulkenberg took his only Formula 1 pole at the same circuit in 2010.

Hulkenberg said the team has everything to play for on Sunday and intends to race cleanly and maximise the starting position. He noted that the rain had helped him make up for the lost running on Friday, and that he felt confident with the car.

Teammate Gabriel Bortoleto was out early in qualifying after losing control at Turn 12 and hitting the barriers, with rear wing damage ending his session.