'We can be fighting for points' – Bortoleto confident for Italian Grand Prix after strong Qualifying performance

Gabriel Bortoleto believes Audi "can be fighting for points" in the Italian Grand Prix, having just missed out on reaching the top 10 in Qualifying by the smallest of margins.

The Brazilian failed to advance through to the final part of Qualifying on Saturday by just 0.001s, as Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari took the final spot in Q3.

Despite missing out, Bortoleto believes he extracted the maximum from his Audi during a session where utilising a slipstream from the car in front proved crucial.

"I think we just lacked a little bit in the lap. I think the lap overall was good, but there was not much more I could have done there," said Bortoleto, who will start P10 after a planned grid penalty for Kimi Antonelli.

"I think Turn 8 was the only place I had a moment with the rear axle that I lost it, but when you are putting the car on the limit like that it can happen."

Audi enter the weekend at Monza on the crest of a wave, with the team scoring four consecutive points finishes shared between Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg.

Bortoleto believes more points will be possible in Sunday's 53-lap race, and is pleased to see the progress made by Audi during their maiden season in Formula 1.

"I think we can be fighting for points but obviously it's not easy. There is going to be cars around us that are also quick and we need to try our best," he said.

"But so far in the weekend I'm very happy because the team has done an incredible job like always. On tracks we believe are difficult, we are still very competitive. This is the proof of how much we are willing to be there."

Hulkenberg also failed to reach Q3 after setting the 13th fastest time, and believes that Audi's lack of straight line speed compared with Mercedes and Ferrari powered cars will make the race a struggle.

"I think it's not going to be easy for us tomorrow," he said.

"If you look at the top speed comparisons, we're lacking a bit which is obviously difficult in racing conditions, but we'll give it our best and see what we can do."