Nico Hulkenberg has said he finds Formula 1‘s latest energy management gimmick both “fun” and “frustrating” at the same time.
Three rounds into the 2026 campaign and opinions are still divided about F1’s latest cars.
The likes of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen have had scathing verdicts to dish out with a few ‘Mario Kart’ references thrown in between.
On the other side, drivers like Lewis Hamilton has much praise on offer for the latest technical rule-set.
But much like the midfield battle Hulkenberg seems to be embroiled in with Audi, the German driver is sitting on the colloquial fence with respect to the 2026 cars.
After the Japanese GP, the former Renault driver conceded to being split between having fun and being frustrated in the car in equal measure – especially on the battery management side of things.
“With the energy stuff, in a way, it’s interesting and fun, but at the same time, it’s also weird and frustrating,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“You do the move, but you’re just; you really have to pick your fights, and it’s so easy to overspend and get a big de-rate and be a sitting duck.
“Sometimes, the closing speeds are really immense. So I don’t know. The race was probably entertaining on TV, there was probably lots going on, but it’s different.”
Nico Hulkenberg hopes to learn the ‘ins and outs’ of Audi’s 2026 F1 challenger
While it’s too early to determine any sort of pecking order with confidence, the German marque‘s debut season in F1 has been going strong so far.
Gabriel Bortoleto has shown immense single-lap pace on ocassion, with frequent Q3 appearances, and Hulkenberg has flirted with the top 10 finishes.
But like many on the grid, Hulkenberg has struggled with the new start procedures. As he puts it, this almost certainly cost him points in Japan.
Moving forward, however, he hopes to sit down with his engineers to thrash out a way around this inherent limitation of the new regulations.
“I think with a regular start, there were obviously points on the table, which is disappointing and frustrating,” he explained.
“So, we need to get on top of that. It’s a work in progress and more work on that side, for sure.
“I know I had a poor start, but I don’t know the particulars, the ins and outs. I need to have a look and speak with the engineers, but it’s obviously a thing.”
The Grand Prix-less April may have come at the perfect time for Hulkenberg to dissect niggling gremlins and put on a stronger showing with Audi from the Miami GP onwards.
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