Audi received two FIA fines during Friday’s practice sessions at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix.
The German team first faced a €7,500 ($8,400) penalty for an unsafe release in FP1, and then another infringement involving Gabriel Bortoleto’s car cost them €5,000 ($5,600) in FP2. As a result, Audi accumulated €12,500 in fines before qualifying.
The second punishment came as a result of a technical breach involving covers placed over the car and its components.
FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer reported the incident to the stewards, stating: “During FP2, the Audi Revolut F1 Team undertook some work on car number 05 in the battery pack area. By doing so, the team had put a soft cover just behind the front axle, blocking the view onto the mechanics’ work.”
Why Did Audi Receive a $5,600 Fine?
The FIA investigation identified two actions during FP2. First, Audi used a soft cover to block the view of mechanics working around Bortoleto’s car. Second, team personnel transported the car’s floor through the pit lane under a large sheet.
Audi explained that its two allocated garages had another group’s garage between them. Therefore, personnel covered the floor as they moved it to prevent outsiders from seeing the component.
However, the stewards did not accept this explanation as an exception to Article B3.3.1 of the 2026 Formula One Sporting Regulations.
The rule prohibits teams from using covers or other obstructions to hide parts of their cars during a race weekend, unless they serve a necessary mechanical purpose. The stewards acknowledged Audi’s garage arrangement but still found the team guilty of breaching the regulations.
The decision came hours after another incident involving rookie Freddie Slater in FP1. Audi released the British driver onto the track with a cooling fan still attached to the intake of the right radiator.
Although the fan did not fall off, the FIA considered it a potential safety risk and fined the team €7,500.
The FIA explained that the fan could have detached during the session. Officials therefore applied a penalty similar to the one Mercedes received after a cooling fan detached from Kimi Antonelli’s car at the Australian Grand Prix.
Will the Fines Affect Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg?
Neither fine carries an individual grid penalty or championship points deduction for Bortoleto or Nico Hülkenberg. Both punishments apply to Audi as a competitor, so the drivers can continue their Mexico City GP weekend.
However, Bortoleto already lost valuable track time because Slater took his place in FP1. The Brazilian returned for the second session but completed only 12 laps, finishing 22nd. Meanwhile, Hülkenberg managed 35 laps and secured 15th place.
The limited running gave Bortoleto less time to prepare for qualifying, while the team also had to address its operational mistakes before Saturday’s sessions.
Ultimately, the fines will not directly change either driver’s race results. However, Audi will need a cleaner Saturday after an expensive Friday that exposed problems with its garage operations and car preparation.
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