The Swiss Sauber team is looking to respond to Haas’ recent leap forward. Sauber is still in the hunt for a strong finish in the Constructors’ Championship and needs to answer Haas’ surge in Mexico, thanks to Oliver Bearman’s remarkable performance. Here are the statements from the drivers and team principal Jonathan Wheatley ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, Gabriel Bortoleto’s home race.
Gabriel Bortoleto: Racing at home is a dream come true
“I grew up in São Paulo, and I’ve always dreamed of racing at Interlagos. Doing it as a Formula 1 driver is something I can’t wait to experience—it almost feels unreal. All the work my family and I have put in over the years has paid off, and I’m excited to finally hit the track in front of my home fans. That said, it doesn’t change my focus for the weekend: I’m ready to race and give my absolute best. It’s another Sprint weekend, which means less time to fine-tune everything. We’ve had a couple of good results recently as a team, so the goal is to keep working hard, make the most of every opportunity, and hopefully secure another top-10 finish here at home.”
Nico Hulkenberg: Interlagos offers unique challenges and opportunities
“Interlagos is a one-of-a-kind circuit, a true classic on the calendar, and I have fantastic memories here. The weather is often unpredictable, and Sprint weekends are always intense, but all of this brings more chances to score points. Mexico was disappointing for me, especially since we had good pace and could have achieved more, but the team resolved the issues, and we can go to São Paulo with confidence. We know the battle around us will be tight and that every small detail will make a difference. The goal this weekend is to build on the positives from recent events and see what we can achieve from there.”
Jonathan Wheatley: A special weekend for Sauber and Bortoleto
“Brazil is always an exciting weekend: the history, the atmosphere, the fans, and the unpredictability of the track make it truly special. Being a Sprint weekend, there are even more opportunities to make an impact and score valuable points for the championship. Thanks to the C45’s pace and our on-track performances, we’ve focused on consolidating our recent form. Bringing both drivers to score points consistently is an achievable goal. This is an important weekend for Gabriel, as he will compete in his first home race: it’s a proud moment for him and for everyone on the team.”
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