Bortoleto and Hülkenberg determined to get Sauber off the bottom
Sauber senior driver Nico Hülkenberg and new recruit Gabriel Bortoleto shared their thoughts and ambitions at the press conference. While Hülkenberg aims to capitalize on his experience to guide Sauber into a promising future, Bortoleto is preparing for the unique challenge of Suzuka.
Discovering for the first time the mythical track of the Land of the Rising Sun as a full-time driver, Gabriel Bortoleto shared his enthusiasm and desire to learn, while acknowledging the complexity of the challenge ahead. “It’s incredible to be here, to drive on such a legendary circuit,” he confided. Asked about his adaptation to F1 and the specifics of Suzuka, Bortoleto highlighted the importance of experience and teamwork. The rookie believes that every driver has a different adaptation time: “Me, I have no idea.” Many factors come into play, such as preparation, track time… But he thinks that “a bit before the European season,” it will be quite good for him.
At Sauber, work is still being done on the car’s balance, the technical team’s nemesis, but we must also think about making it faster and more predictable.
« At the moment, we are trying to understand and predict the behavior of the car, » explained Bortoleto. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with his teammate, Nico Hülkenberg, and the entire team. Highlighting that « the balance of the car » remains a major focus of development, he insisted on the need to improve the predictability of the single-seater, thereby demonstrating his involvement in the development process.
Last year, the team was in great difficulty, finishing last in the championship. This year, the tide is turning, even though the car still has some issues. Nico Hülkenberg, with his experience and consistency, has proven to be a valuable asset, as he seems to have quite a handle on the beast, as he demonstrated by securing very valuable points for the team.
On this subject, the German, who seems to have found the pedal of renewal, emphasized the importance of consistency: “Our goal is to maximize every race weekend and bring back valuable points. Suzuka is a particular challenge, but we have prepared the car as best as possible. And of course, with Audi’s announcement in 2026, every race counts to prove our worth and that of the team.” The German remains an experienced driver capable of surprising, even though competing in the midfield this year is a perilous exercise.
The words of the two drivers highlighted the blend of experience and enthusiasm that drives Sauber. Hülkenberg, with his gaze set on the future and the arrival of Audi, and Bortoleto, eager to prove himself, underline the team’s determination to progress.
