Hulkenberg reaches Q3 for first time in 2026 after nervy Barcelona qualifying

Nico Hulkenberg said he was happy and satisfied after making it into Q3 at the 2026 Barcelona Grand Prix on Saturday — Audi's strongest qualifying result of the season so far.

The German qualified ninth at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the first time he has reached the top-ten shootout all year. Teammate Gabriel Bortoleto just missed out, finishing twelfth in Q2.

Credit: Formula One

Hulkenberg admitted the session was not without its complications. A moment in Q1 put him under immediate pressure. "Q1, actually my first lap I had a moment in Turn 3, which then — you know — immediately your tyres are hot and kind of has an effect on the rest of the lap," he said. "So we were not safe enough with that lap, had to do the second run and use the second set, which then leaves you only with one new set in Q2."

That tyre situation going into Q2 made things uncomfortable. "So that was a bit tricky, a bit airy," Hulkenberg said. "But we stayed cool and made it stick. So we're very pleased about that."

Despite the tyre constraints, Hulkenberg delivered when it mattered. He used his one remaining fresh set in Q2 to sneak through into Q3, where he ultimately set a time of 1:16.657s to line up ninth on the grid. He had also had a lap deleted in Q2 for track limits, adding to the pressure of the session before he came through.

Hulkenberg was equally measured about what the session ultimately delivered. "Not much more on the table there," he said of his Q3 lap. "So that's good and positive."

With a P9 start secured, attention quickly turned to Sunday. Barcelona is set to be the hottest race of the season so far, with high temperatures forecast for race day — a factor Hulkenberg flagged immediately. "Obviously tomorrow is the first true hot race this season," he said, "and for sure tyre management, degradation and strategy will be the main things tomorrow."

It is a race that could suit a driver starting from the edge of the top ten, where strategy and tyre management can make up for pure pace. Hulkenberg rated his race car as decent going into Sunday, suggesting Audi will be aiming to convert the grid position into points.

For Audi, the result represents a genuine milestone. Making Q3 for the first time in 2026 in only their second season as a works constructor is a sign of progress, even if Hulkenberg himself kept his reaction measured. The job now is to back it up on race day.