Sauber remains unconcerned about Nico Hulkenberg qualifying struggles despite the German driver being consistently outpaced by his rookie Formula 1 teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto, over this season. Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley addressed the issue recently, emphasizing confidence in Hulkenberg’s performance amid the ongoing campaign.
Comparing Qualifying Records and Season Progress
Gabriel Bortoleto currently leads Hulkenberg with a 13-7 advantage in qualifying sessions, or 11-6 when excluding sprint events. The younger driver, a reigning Formula 2 champion, has made five appearances in Q3, demonstrating impressive consistency on circuits where he has prior experience. Despite these numbers, Wheatley does not see them as a cause for concern given Hulkenberg’s strong overall season.
Hulkenberg, aged 38, achieved his first F1 podium with a third-place finish at the British Grand Prix and holds 10th in the championship standings, placing eight positions ahead of Bortoleto with 19 additional points. Wheatley downplayed worries about the qualifying gap, noting Hulkenberg’s long-standing skill and experience in racing.
Jonathan Wheatley on Hulkenberg’s Qualifying Performance
When asked about the disparity in qualifying results, Wheatley responded,
“It’s a question that I’m being asked more and more often now. I personally don’t feel there’s any fundamental issue here, I personally don’t.”
He emphasized Hulkenberg’s speed and expertise, recalling past instances where Hulkenberg was out-qualified by other drivers but still delivered solid race performances.
Wheatley added,
“Nico is a tremendously experienced and fast racing driver. Many, many times he’s been out-qualified by thousands, hundreds. It’s not always a big thing.”
He insisted that the recent struggles are temporary, saying,
“I honestly think it’s just a transient thing.”
He also acknowledged Bortoleto’s pace, noting that if either driver gets a clean lap, they are likely to outperform the other.
Impact of Circuit Familiarity on Performance
Bortoleto’s recent success in qualifying is partly attributed to his familiarity with several circuits included in this year’s calendar, all of which were part of the F2 schedule during his title-winning campaign. His streak of out-qualifying Hulkenberg spans the past eight races, including Austria, Britain, Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, and Azerbaijan.
This familiarity has enabled Bortoleto to build momentum despite a slow start to the season, and although his race finishes have not always reflected qualifying highs, his development has impressed team management.
Insights on Bortoleto’s Growth and Maturity
Wheatley praised Bortoleto’s maturity and ability to handle setbacks constructively, especially after a frustrating 15th-place finish at Zandvoort last month. “He’s wise beyond his years,” Wheatley said, highlighting the rookie’s attitude during post-race debriefs as a strong indicator of his potential.
He further stated,
“He’s doing everything that you’d want from a young driver, showing incredible maturity. And when the car’s capable of it, he delivers.”
This level-headed approach is seen as vital for Bortoleto’s continued progress within the Sauber team.
Looking Ahead: Sauber’s Focus on Balanced Progress
Sauber’s management remains optimistic about both drivers’ near-term prospects, viewing the qualifying discrepancies as part of a natural development process in a challenging season. Hulkenberg’s experience paired with Bortoleto’s rapid learning curve offers the team a strong foundation as the championship moves forward.
With Hulkenberg demonstrating resilience and performance consistency, and Bortoleto steadily gaining form on familiar tracks, Sauber is positioned to maintain stability and potentially improve results. The continued internal competition between the two will likely push both drivers to maximize their capabilities in the races ahead.
