Bortoleto on track to achieve his best F1 result in Spielberg?

Fourteenth in Monaco, twelfth in Barcelona, ​​and then fourteenth again in Montreal, Gabriel Bortoleto has enjoyed a form of consistency, if not efficiency in terms of points. Managing to score 20 points since the start of this year, thanks in particular to a brilliant fifth place secured in Spain, Nico Hulkenberg seems to lead his young partner upwards, thanks to an apprenticeship carried out in an environment without any pressure for results until then.

"In the car, I feel pretty comfortable on a flying lap. I've been confident since Australia. In the race, I'm learning a lot from Nico, especially about management and strategy.", Bortoleto said in this regard at a press conference. Two positions gained at the start can change everything.

Familiar ground for Bortoleto

In this context, the Auriverde arrives on Austrian soil with the status of winner of the event, last year in F2. First of his two victories leading him to the title in the antechamber of the F1, this race allowed him to confirm, notably beating Franco Colapinto by more than four seconds, while Isack Hadjar completed the podium. Today, this success gives him a form of confidence at a welcome time, where his car finally appears to be constantly evolving.

"The new parts introduced in Barcelona have improved the car, and we hope for further improvement, the Brazilian rejoiced this Thursday. We'll see tomorrow on the track how it goes. The team is working very well, and we're getting closer to the points more consistently."

In this regard, the first sessions this Friday, which came as very positive promises in the Sauber garage, have given rise to a wind of hope among the greens. Sixth in Free Practice 1, then eighth in Free Practice 2, Gabriel Bortoleto confirmed his ease on this particular track. “It’s a complete circuit, with fast and slow corners, and it requires a variety of driving styles. I like that.” he already commented before the sessions.

So far, the 12th place he achieved at the finish of the Spanish Grand Prix is ​​the Brazilian driver's best result since his arrival in Formula 1 at the start of the season. While Austria could well represent a first milestone for him, the quest for points would allow him, if it is completed, to leave the two drivers alone at the bottom of the standings Alpine Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto, still not counting any points at this stage.

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