Audi confirm 2027 F1 driver line-up

Audi has unsurprisingly opted to retain its current driver line-up of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto for the 2027 F1 season.

The decision, confirmed by Audi CEO and team principal Mattia Binotto in the build-up to Saturday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, will mean a third season together as a pairing for veteran Hulkenberg and Brazilian Bortoleto.

Binotto announced that Audi has simply decided to exercise the extension clauses in the contracts of both drivers.

"Happy with the lineup," said Binotto when asked to evaluate to the media, including RacingNews365, how his two drivers have fared this season.

"We did not discuss what the proper plan is for the next season. Our drivers were contracted, so we knew that it would be no change.

"We never announced what would have been next year because there was no necessity. We have a confirmed lineup which we are happy with."

Why Hulkenberg and Bortoleto again?

In its debut season as Audi, with the German manufacturer entering F1 via its own power unit and after taking over the Sauber factory in Hinwil, Switzerland, Audi has enjoyed a solid, if unspectacular season, notably over the last few races.

The team has scored points in five of the last six grands prix to elevate itself up to eighth in the constructors' championship.

Bortoleto has the edge at present, scoring 10 points to seven from Hulkenberg.

As to why he opted to retain his lineup, Binotto said: "It's a different situation for both of them.

"You've got an experienced driver, Nico, [and] more of a junior driver with Gabi.

"Nico is consistently delivering. When it comes to, especially the race, his consistency is robust, [making] very few mistakes, always exploiting the potential of the car, and scoring points wherever there is an opportunity. So far, he has delivered well.

"Gabi, being more junior, is still in a learning phase. We need to look at him more in his development, the rate of development, and here again, I have to say, I can see his confidence growing race by race.

"You can see that he's becoming faster and faster, having more confidence in himself, no big mistakes, maybe a couple, but again, that's part of his learning phase.

"Overall, his consistency as well. He is certainly exploiting the potential of the car; he is very fast in quali on a single lap when it matters, so overall I have to say that I'm pretty pleased."