No points, but no pressure yet for Bortoleto
The Brazilian is one of only two full-time drivers not to have scored any points this year. While rumors could logically arise, the F2 champion retains the full support of his team.
Feats on Saturday, more struggles on Sunday. This could summarize the start of Gabriel Bortoleto’s career in F1. The native of Osasco has already managed to outperform his teammate Nico Hülkenberg four times in qualifying (in Australia during the opening race, in Miami, Imola, and most recently in Spain). Conversely, the gap is much larger in races. While the former Haas driver has already scored 20 points, the F2 world champion has yet to open his account.
He is, moreover, the only driver to have competed in all the rounds of the championship without yet scoring any points, with Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto, who replaced the Australian from the Imola Grand Prix, being the other two. Yet, the Brazilian says he does not feel any pressure at the moment.
Sauber seeks stability to best prepare for 2026
Questioned upon arrival at the Canadian Grand Prix, which he finished in 14th place, the Sauber driver was particularly admiring of his teammate’s performance, once again in the points after finishing 8th. « He extracts more from the car than he really should. He’s an excellent driver. I really admire everything he does – it’s impressive. » Although the points gap between the two drivers is significant, Sauber has no plans to change its strategies and intends to retain and develop its Brazilian driver.
The team is also undergoing reconstruction, and a change of drivers as early as next year, as F1 prepares for one of the biggest revolutions in its history, could disrupt its plans as the Swiss team will become Audi next season. Moreover, the two drivers get along well, which allows the team to work effectively. While the six points scored by Hülkenberg were more about good strategy optimization by stopping at the right time when the rain fell, the last two Grand Prix have shown that Sauber has progressed in the hierarchy.
A single-seater that improves with each race
The Hinwl team is now capable of scoring points regularly, as demonstrated by the German driver over the past two weekends (fifth in Spain, eighth in Canada). These regained performances can be explained by the introduction of a new update on the car starting from the Spanish Grand Prix: new floor, new front wing, modifications to the engine cover and the so-called Coca-Cola bottle profile area (inside the rear wheels).
Developments that, according to sporting director Inaki Rueda, should primarily improve the car’s handling, a problem both drivers have complained about several times this season, rather than increasing aerodynamic downforce. « It is common that when you add downforce, the car becomes more difficult to control. This was a problem identified from our initial tests. And this update is supposed to correct that », explained the Spaniard.
Nico Hülkenberg, source of inspiration for Bortoleto
Changes that immediately paid off with two finishes in the points, all generated by Hülkenberg. It is precisely in this area that Bortoleto needs to improve, with some mistakes that have cost him dearly: a spin and accident in Australia, a poor start in Japan, and losing a position at the Safety Car restart in Spain to his mentor Fernando Alonso. These mistakes are mainly due to a lack of experience and, with it, a certain confidence in his approach to racing.
An element that his teammate manages perfectly. In Canada, the German showcased all his intelligence from the first lap. Starting eleventh on the grid after penalties were given to Hadjar and Tsunoda, the former Force India driver had a rather calm start. A few corners later, he managed to take advantage of the battle between Colapinto and Albon to overtake both drivers and move into 9th position. A good reading of the situation at the start, but also throughout the race, with a perfectly executed one-stop strategy to maintain that 9th place, which later turned into 8th position after Norris’s retirement late in the race. Elements that astonished the Brazilian driver.
« He sees the race in a way that I don’t perceive yet », Bortoleto admitted regarding the comparison with Hülkenberg. « He’s very good at it. I’m trying to learn from him. I hope I can follow in his footsteps and start scoring points for the team. »
Given the pace recently shown by the team, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 2024 F2 world champion getting closer to the points. However, he will need to be able to manage this situation. In any case, one thing is certain, Sauber will give him the time to progress and he will indeed be on the starting grid in 2026.
