If it is accepted that Ferrari has the best starts in Formula 1 right now, few would argue that at the other end of the spectrum is Audi.
In fact, so repeatedly poor are its getaways that Gabriel Bortoleto labelled them "terrible" after he and team-mate Nico Hulkenberg lost a combined 10 places from their grid positions on the opening lap in Japan.
With all three grand prix weekends showing Audi's starts to have been poor, it has become clear that its launch problems are not just a case of dialling out early teething troubles with the new cars. Amid no sign of obvious improvement, something more fundamental is clearly in play.
As Hulkenberg said after the Japanese Grand Prix about a trend setting in: "It's obviously a thing."
This is why Bortoleto admitted following the Suzuka race that this would not just be a case of Audi needing more practice. Instead, this is a long-term project.
"We can improve a bit, but not in the short term to get to the Ferraris," he said. "It's very difficult also for Mercedes, so I think we are going to struggle a bit."
So what is triggering Audi's poor starts and why is it going to take so long to resolve?
The extent of the problem
Analysis of the starts of both Audi drivers so far this year highlights that they lose an average of four places over the opening lap.
Of the six times that Audi has actually been there when the lights have gone out (Bortoleto and Hulkenberg have both failed to start one race respectively), only once did either driver end the first lap further up than where they started.
That was Bortoleto in the China sprint, when it must be noted he was helped out by Isack Hadjar's spin that forced Ollie Bearman to take avoiding action.
That same race also included Audi's worst start, as Hulkenberg lost nine places, to prove that the problem is very much car-related rather than limited to an individual driver not getting on top of things.
To illustrate how things have gone, here is a run through of how Audi's opening laps have gone so far to highlight its start weakness.
Asked by The Race about the starts being a consequence of design choices such as turbo size rather than procedures, Bortoleto all but confirmed this was the main factor - and that Audi perhaps never anticipated the consequences would be this dramatic.
"The procedure, I think, is very similar to everyone," he said. "I just think this is exactly what you said: I think there's teams that have developed the car in a bit of a different way to have better starts.
"I don't think any of the teams thought it was going to be that difficult to start. We ended up that it's terrible so far. We know it's very difficult for us, and we need to improve on that."
While more experience and more practice should help Bortoleto and Hulkenberg find some improvements to minimise the losses, if a full solution requires a turbo rethink, that's a much longer project.
Audi's F1 project leader Mattia Binotto said that the Japanese GP experience had shifted the start issue to the top of the team's to fix list, even if a solution may take a while.
"It's certainly not our strength at the moment," he explained. "The reason it has not been addressed so far is because there is not an obvious thing to be fixed.
"But on the other side, we know it's top priority for us, because we have good qualifying [pace] and it's not worthwhile starting there if you are losing all the positions at the start.
"So now it's good for us I would say, in a way, that two races have been cancelled. As a team we will have some more time now to reflect on the start of the season."
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Audi drivers lose an average of four grid positions on opening laps, with no signs of improvement after three races.
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Poor starts could cost Audi crucial championship points and undermine driver confidence throughout the 2024 season.
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Ferrari's smaller turbo design gives them the best starts, while larger turbos struggle without the banned MGU-H system.