Bortoleto on adapting to F1: “It took five races to adjust, these cars are very sensitive”
Adjusting to the intense pace of Formula 1, both on and off the track, is challenging even for a rookie of Bortoleto’s caliber, who came off consecutive titles in F2 and F3. Born in São Paulo in 2004, Bortoleto explained his adaptation process and gradual growth race by race. “I think it took around five races to really understand how weekends are structured and the various tasks to manage,” he said. “The media demands are different too; in F2 and F3, Thursday might be just an hour, but in F1, it’s a full day of commitments, so you have to manage your energy carefully.”
He added that driving the modern F1 cars posed another layer of difficulty. “These cars are complicated and extremely sensitive to factors like wind or track condition changes. Luckily, I adapted quickly in terms of confidence, but there are drivers like Lewis who are performing well and have high expectations.” He stressed the importance of smooth driving with these machines: “It’s crucial to drive cleanly, without sudden moves. Precision is key because even a small snap can lead to an incident or off-track excursion.”
Sauber’s step forward from Barcelona and Nico Hulkenberg’s influence
Making a debut in today’s F1 on a challenging car like the C45 was far from easy. After a difficult start, Sauber’s season shifted dramatically following the Barcelona upgrades, moving from the back of the grid to consistently fighting for points. “We started the season in a difficult position with the car, struggling with balance and performance. Nico and I often had trouble getting through Q1,” Bortoleto recalled. “Afterwards, we took a different approach, optimized the car with the Barcelona updates, and from there we began consistently fighting for points. That was the turning point of the season; before, we were essentially fighting ourselves.”
Bortoleto highlighted the role of his teammate Hulkenberg in his development. “Without him, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now. I study and analyze his data—it’s working really well. He’s fast, precise, and rarely makes mistakes. Even when he does, he keeps the car on track. It’s not just experience, it’s pure speed.” The Brazilian added, “Having him as a teammate motivates me because every weekend is a genuine internal battle. Nico deserves more than he’s achieved, so when he scores good results, I’m genuinely happy for him.”
Sim-racing passion and friendship with Max Verstappen
Off-track, Bortoleto is a passionate sim-racer, using simulators not only for car development but also at home. “I love the simulator. It’s not just a work tool—it’s a real passion. After a race, I go straight to the sim to apply what I’ve learned while the weekend is fresh in my mind,” he explained. His sim-racing interest led to a close friendship with Max Verstappen. “I don’t have many friends in the paddock, probably just Ollie, Fernando, and Max. With Max, it’s different—he helped me back in F3, doing lots of sim work together. I’ve been an ambassador for his sim-racing team (Team Redline) since 2023, and there are some incredible talents there.” Bortoleto added, “Max is exactly as people see him—transparent, generous, and helpful, as he’s been to me.”
Looking ahead with Audi: “We won’t win immediately, but that’s the goal”
Turning to the future, particularly the 2026 regulation changes, Bortoleto feels fortunate to have joined F1 a year before the new rules. “Starting as a rookie in 2026 would have been a huge disadvantage, especially in a new team like Audi. I’m proud they gave me the chance to grow this year, so I can make the big leap next season.”
He remains confident about adapting to new cars. “A car is a car—if you’re fast, you’re fast. Especially when you’re young, you just need to drive every car in your hands and extract the maximum.” Regarding Audi’s ambitions, he added, “I don’t expect to win immediately in the first year. It’s exciting knowing that Audi has won everywhere, and people expect them to win. Audi won’t enter to stay in the midfield, but I won’t set a timeline. A project like this takes time.”
Leave a Reply