Gabriel Bortoleto, the rising star of Brazilian motorsport, has opened up about his whirlwind experience at his first home Grand Prix, a weekend that was as exhilarating as it was challenging. Despite a series of harrowing crashes that could have sidelined many rookies, Bortoleto emerged with a heart full of gratitude and a newfound appreciation for the electric support of his home crowd.
The Brazilian driver faced a terrifying 57G crash during the sprint race at the iconic Interlagos circuit, a moment that would send shivers down the spine of any competitor. Miraculously, he walked away unscathed and was cleared to race on, though his team worked tirelessly to repair his car, causing him to miss qualifying. Starting from a lowly 18th on the grid for the main event, Bortoleto’s misfortune continued as he crashed on the very first lap after losing traction and colliding with the wall, a crushing blow to his ambitions.
“I love the love of the fans,” Bortoleto expressed passionately. “They are very supportive. The Brazilian Grand Prix was not an easy one for me. But at the same time, it was probably the most amazing experience I ever had in my life. To hear that crowd cheering my name and one day I was the kid there cheering for someone. It’s just a dream coming true and to have all these Brazilian people supporting me. We are so many. It’s just incredible.”
While the crashes may have been a bitter pill to swallow, Bortoleto remains focused on the bigger picture, reflecting on what has been a transformative rookie season with Sauber. He acknowledged the struggles he faced, particularly early in the year when the car was far from competitive. “I think I’ve achieved a lot this year,” he stated with pride. “It’s a car that at the beginning of the year was completely out of the window and for sure not a point-scoring car.”
Bortoleto noted that the season started off with chaos, where many drivers were caught in crashes, and as a rookie, he perhaps didn’t take full advantage of the opportunities presented. However, he and his team gradually found their footing, especially shining during the summer races when they amassed valuable points. “Then, obviously, we had a very strong run in the summer season where we got very good points for the team. And I felt like I was delivering amazing performances,” he said.
As the season progressed, Sauber shifted focus towards the next year, halting the development of their current car. This strategic decision may have caused them to lose some ground to competitors who continued to improve. Nevertheless, Bortoleto remains optimistic, affirming, “But we are still in the fight for points every weekend.”
With his heart set on future success and a fan base rallying behind him, Gabriel Bortoleto’s journey in Formula 1 is just beginning, and the world will be watching as this talented driver continues to make his mark on the sport.
