Bortoleto: F1 2026 driving won't erase karting skills

Formula 1 rookie Gabriel Bortoleto has downplayed claims that the upcoming 2026 regulations will necessitate drivers completely abandoning their fundamental skills. He stated that while the new cars will require enhanced management of energy and hybrid systems, the core ability to drive fast will remain.

Bortoleto's perspective contrasts with comments from driver Esteban Ocon, who suggested the changes would be so profound that existing driving techniques would be rendered obsolete. The 2026 regulations represent F1's most significant technical overhaul since the hybrid era began, with power units split between internal combustion and electrical energy, and cars being lighter.

During Audi F1's factory entry launch, Bortoleto stressed that adaptation, not a complete reset, is key. He noted that managing energy will change cornering and race strategy, but the objective of extracting lap time and racing wheel-to-wheel persists. Audi is accelerating its development for its 2026 debut, with private and official tests scheduled soon.

Audi's long-term vision, led by Mattia Binotto, aims for benchmark status by the end of the decade. Bortoleto described joining Audi at this early stage as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to create a lasting legacy. Teammate Nico Hülkenberg shares the anticipation for the project's reality and the car's aesthetic appeal.