Bortoleto responds to Marko and reminds him of the "pack of bad" talent placed in F1

Gabriel Bortoleto didn't have to wait until his first start this Sunday to experience his first clash. And the least we can say is that the Brazilian doesn't mince his words. So, a few hours – or days – after being stung by Helmut Marko, the Sauber driver drew his gun.

As a reminder, the Austrian, known for his frank speaking, gave his point of view about the young generation arriving in F1 this year. On the microphone of Servus TV, the advisor of Red Bull, very familiar with the daily life of the Junior Team, classified these new drivers into three boxes, not failing to make noise while he was not very tender with the champion of F2 In title.

« I would classify it in category B, he breathed after having catalogued Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar and Oliver Bearman of “A drivers” and Jack de Doohan from “driver C". He is a very intelligent driver, he won the Formula 3 [in 2023], but with only one victory. He tends to stay out of trouble. In Formula 2, he has only two victories. He is a driver who brings the car home, who has a good grasp of strategy and tire management, but I don't see the ultimate speed in him. »

Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the Australian Grand Prix, Gabriel Bortoleto naturally fielded questions about the Doctor's exit. While some, in this world where speech is so controlled, often prefer to kick in, the Auriverde didn't hold back, not forgetting to remind Helmut Marko that he too has made some mistakes despite all the success he can be credited with.

« I don't care, I've seen and I like challenges, he began. Hearing that from him… He's a man who's brought a lot of talent into Formula 1, but he's brought a lot of bad talent too. He's been right sometimes, and wrong sometimes. And I hope I'll prove him wrong over time.

But nothing I say will change his mind. Only my results on the track. I'm sure I'll prove him wrong at some point, and I hope he admits it. For now, I'm focusing on my work, improving, and doing my best. I'm proud of what I did in the junior series and I won in F2 and F3 against his Red Bull drivers, so it's a good thing for me. »

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