New details have emerged about the terrifying accident involving Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto during Saturday’s Sprint race at Interlagos. The young Sauber driver, who is considered one of the most promising talents for the future of Formula 1, endured a weekend to forget in front of his home crowd in São Paulo.
Two days, two races, two crashes
Gabriel Bortoleto, a rising star supported by Fernando Alonso, found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Both the Sprint and the main Grand Prix ended prematurely for him, with his car crashing into the barriers on both occasions. During Sunday’s race, the Sauber driver was forced to retire on the opening lap after a collision with Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin sent him straight into the wall.
However, the real scare for the Brazilian came 24 hours earlier, on the final lap of the Sprint race. While attempting to overtake the Williams of Alexander Albon, Bortoleto completely lost control of his car. His Sauber was destroyed after hitting the inside wall before careening into the tyre barriers on the opposite side of the run-off area — a violent double impact that left fans and teams holding their breath.
“It was like a bomb”
Post-crash analysis revealed that the impact force reached an astonishing 57g. Team principal Jonathan Wheatley described the crash as “like a bomb explosion”, emphasizing just how violent the impact was. He praised the FIA’s high safety standards, explaining that “fortunately, Gabriel hit the wall with two different parts of the car — the regulations and car design truly saved him.”
The sheer intensity of the impact was reminiscent of some of Formula 1’s most severe crashes in recent years, yet Gabriel Bortoleto was able to walk away without any major injuries, a testament to the modern safety measures implemented by the FIA and the Sauber engineering team.
The near miracle of Sauber’s mechanics
Behind the scenes, an incredible story also unfolded. After the heavy crash, Sauber’s mechanics — who will soon form part of the official Audi works team in 2026 — embarked on an extraordinary effort to rebuild the car in time for qualifying. Although Bortoleto ultimately could not take part in Saturday’s session, the team came astonishingly close to completing the rebuild in record time.
According to Wheatley, the crew managed to assemble an entirely new chassis overnight, and they succeeded in firing up the engine just as Q1 was coming to an end. “We missed qualifying by only a few minutes,” Wheatley revealed, adding that the entire garage broke into applause for the exhausted mechanics who had worked tirelessly through the night to get the car ready.
This effort, though ultimately in vain, highlighted the determination, skill, and unity within the Hinwil-based team — qualities that will be crucial when Sauber transitions into the Audi factory outfit in 2026. The mechanics’ dedication earned admiration across the paddock, proving once again that Formula 1 is not only about drivers but also about the extraordinary human effort behind each team.
Bortoleto’s reflection and Verstappen’s lesson
Reflecting on the crash, Gabriel Bortoleto admitted that it was the result of his own mistake, partially related to not closing the DRS at the right moment. “I wanted to surprise Albon, but I still had the DRS open when I hit a bump,” explained the young Brazilian. “Suddenly the car just went away from me. I was lucky to walk away unhurt.”
The Sauber rookie accepted responsibility for the error but also put it into perspective: “A rookie mistake? It has happened to everyone,” he said. “Just look at the early stages of Max Verstappen’s career. Life goes on, and I hope to learn from what happened.”
Bortoleto’s calm self-analysis shows a maturity beyond his years. Despite the disappointment, his ability to acknowledge mistakes and draw lessons from them could be a sign of the resilience needed to thrive in Formula 1. Many great champions, including Verstappen himself, have experienced similar setbacks early in their careers before rising to the top of the sport.
A weekend to forget, but lessons to remember
For Gabriel Bortoleto, the Interlagos weekend was a mix of pain, learning, and pride. The pain of the crashes, the lesson from his mistake, and the pride in seeing his team fight until the very last moment to put him back on track. The Brazilian fans, who had come to cheer for their local hero, showed their support throughout the weekend, applauding the young driver for his courage and perseverance.
While the outcome of the weekend was far from ideal, Bortoleto’s composure and the team’s extraordinary effort painted a hopeful picture for the future. The young driver’s journey in Formula 1 has only just begun, and moments like these — though difficult — often shape the strongest competitors.
As the paddock moves on from Brazil, Bortoleto and Sauber can take comfort in knowing that even after a 57g crash that “felt like a bomb,” they came away with invaluable experience and proof of their fighting spirit. The next races will offer them a chance to turn that resilience into results, continuing the long path of growth that every young driver must take in the world of Formula 1.
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