This past weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Gabriel Bortoleto found himself in a dramatic mid-race clash with Fernando Alonso at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The young driver, caught in the intensity of battle, veered right as Alonso approached from behind, an oversight leading to an inadvertent contact between the two. Yet, the experience has proven educational for Bortoleto, as he candidly reflected post-race.
In his account, Bortoleto stated he hadn’t noticed the Spaniard during his maneuver. His focus was on reclaiming his position in the face of fierce competition. Alonso, who also serves as Bortoleto’s manager, accused him of moving under braking. However, the Brazilian contended he was merely seizing a racing opportunity following Liam Lawson‘s overtaking move on lap 25.
This event highlights the complexities of Bortoleto’s weekend in Jeddah, a venue where he took charge of strategy alongside the Kick Sauber team. Starting from P20 and concluding in P18 due to retirements, this performance at Jeddah put him at the back of the pack. The rookie described the race as another lesson learned, a stepping stone in his burgeoning career.
Reflecting further, Bortoleto shared his intentions for recovery, aiming to restore his energy and mindset ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. This resolve follows what has been a challenging start to his season, comprising a DNF in Australia and an 18th-place finish mirroring his Bahrain result. His campaign’s highlight remains a 14th-place finish in China, a stark contrast to his current standings without any points on the board.
Bortoleto remains optimistic despite sitting last, focusing on self-improvement and aiming higher for future races. Jeddah, for all its challenges, has provided crucial lessons for the young driver, a tapestry of experiences to draw upon as he prepares to tackle the next phase of the Formula One season.
