During the F1 Monaco Grand Prix last weekend, Gabriel Bortoleto sharply criticized fellow rookie Kimi Antonelli for a reckless overtake that resulted in a collision. The incident occurred on the opening lap as both drivers vied to gain positions early in the race, with Bortoleto describing Antonelli’s move as “embarrassing.”
After successfully overtaking Antonelli around the outside at the hairpin, Bortoleto found himself forced off the track at Portier following an aggressive lunge from the Italian. With no space to avoid the move, Bortoleto’s Sauber hit the barriers, sustaining damage that compelled him to pit for repairs.
Details of the Collision and Bortoleto’s Reaction
Bortoleto, who holds the title of reigning Formula 2 champion, expressed frustration at Antonelli’s driving, calling the attempt “very optimistic.” Though Antonelli did not make contact, his sudden trajectory forced Bortoleto into the wall, damaging the front wing of his car.
It’s a shame what happened there on the first lap, I think I managed to make a very solid move in Turn 6 in the hairpin, so it was very nice around the outside and I gained a position,
Bortoleto stated.
He added that losing a position in Monaco is especially disappointing, given the track’s reputation for limited overtaking opportunities.
Obviously, he doesn’t want to see any car ahead of him, losing a position in Monaco is quite embarrassing, it’s bad because normally, historically you don’t lose position but you don’t gain as well.
Reflecting on Antonelli’s move, Bortoleto continued,
I think he tried a very optimistic move there. We have seen a lot of crashes there in the past, it’s not the first time.
He didn’t touch me, but he just went straight and to avoid crashing into him, I crashed into the wall and destroyed my front wing, needed to reverse, go back to the pits and unfortunately that’s how my race ended up.
Uncertainty Over Post-Race Discussions Between Drivers
After finishing 14th, Bortoleto remained uncertain about whether he would discuss the incident with Antonelli, who completed the race in 18th place. He acknowledged that Antonelli likely did not intend to cause a crash but expressed mixed feelings about reaching out.
I don’t know. For sure he didn’t want to put me in the wall or anything. He ended up doing it in my opinion. At some point I will talk to him but I don’t know, I need to think about it,
Bortoleto said.
He also emphasized the balance between racing hard and respecting safety limits, especially since neither driver was competing for points or a podium at the time of the incident.
I don’t want to create any trouble, it’s not like we are fighting for any title here or podium or any points in that moment, so I don’t see why he would do that, would risk something like that. At the same time, we are racing so we need to race hard against each other but there is a limit.
Implications for Rival Rookie Drivers in Monaco
This crash highlights the challenges faced by rookie drivers like Gabriel Bortoleto and Kimi Antonelli as they adjust to the intense pressure of Formula 1 racing at iconic venues like Monaco. The incident underlines the fine line between aggressive moves and unsafe driving, especially on a circuit known for its unforgiving walls and tight corners.
Moving forward, conversations between the rookies and their teams will be pivotal in managing on-track battles to avoid similar incidents. How both drivers respond and learn from this event may influence their approach to wheel-to-wheel racing in the remainder of the season, shaping their reputations and career trajectories within the sport.
