Nico Hulkenberg seen having heated exchange with Audi boss Mattia Binotto after Miami GP

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Audi are in turmoil on and off the track, as seen at the Miami Grand Prix, as Nico Hulkenberg and Mattia Binotto were not too friendly with one another after the race.

The German manufacturer were performing moderately well for a new F1 team before the April break, having scored two points through Gabriel Bortoleto in Melbourne. The car’s pace was relatively good too, with regular Q2 and sometimes Q3 appearances.

But the enforced break put Audi in crisis, as Jonathan Wheatley suddenly left his post as team principal to join Aston Martin after a rumoured falling out with Binotto.

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While the former Ferrari man denies any conflict, Bernie Collins warned Wheatley’s exit would be ‘really detrimental’ to the team. Allan McNish has since replaced him, but Collins was proved correct at the Miami Grand Prix.

Hulkenberg’s car caught fire on the way to the grid for the Sprint and did not start the race. Bortoleto was disqualified from the Sprint before his car caught fire in qualifying, leaving him at the back of the grid.

The Brazilian managed to recover to finish 12th, but his teammate’s frustrating week ended after seven laps. Hulkenberg retired with a mechanical failure, and he was seen having a tense exchange with Binotto afterwards.

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Nico Hulkenberg and Mattia Binotto ‘didn’t look friendly’ at Miami Grand Prix

Journalist Julianne Cerasoli saw the conversation in the paddock and discussed the mood on her YouTube channel.

“Well, what a terrible weekend for Hulkenberg, who didn’t manage to race, did he? He had a breakdown, then he had a collision at the start of the Grand Prix,” she said.

“I saw him having a long chat with Binotto, which didn’t look friendly. They didn’t seem to be arguing, but it looked like a serious, long conversation with Binotto after the race.”

Discussing Audi’s weekend as a whole, Cerasoli pointed out how the team felt that they had the package to fight for points, but various mechanical faults hampered their weekend.

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“At that pace, they were sixth or better, very close to the points. Most likely, if Gabriel had actually qualified and started from, and Audi could have started 11th or 12th, he would very likely have scored points,” she continued.

“Or even Hulkenberg, had he not had the problem at the start there and later retired, of course, could also have fought for points in that race.

“It was a weekend in which Alpine improved significantly. Williams sorted out the excess weight they had there and stepped up their game for Sunday.

“Haas wasn’t doing too well, with the drivers complaining a bit about the car, so it was difficult to get into the points, but even the team itself, Audi itself thought they could get into the points.”