Testing at Imola: Ayumu Iwasa racks up mileage, Gabriel Bortoleto focuses on procedures. It was the third and final day of testing at Imola for Racing Bulls and the second for Sauber.

It was the third and final day of testing at Imola for Racing Bulls and the second for Sauber. Both teams encountered overcast skies and slightly higher temperatures than the previous day, though the track surface remained wet. On track for Sauber was rookie driver Gabriel Bortoleto in the C43, while Ayumu Iwasa took over the AT04 from the team’s previous drivers, Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar.

After the installation lap, Iwasa began his first run. With more water on the track compared to the previous morning, the Racing Bulls test driver naturally recorded slower lap times than Hadjar. However, Iwasa impressed with his remarkable consistency, outperforming even Yuki Tsunoda in this aspect. As the track dried relatively quickly, Ayumu settled into consistent 1:33 laps before finishing the morning session with a solid 1:32.1. Before the lunch break, he completed his morning program with four grid start practice runs.

Sauber sent Gabriel Bortoleto onto the track shortly after 10 a.m. The Brazilian’s program was markedly different, involving three stints of 10 out-in laps to practice starts exiting the pit lane. In the afternoon, as grip on the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit gradually improved, the young Brazilian began to push harder, eventually recording a 1:30.40 lap that brought smiles to the team in the garage.

The performance was deemed excellent given the weather conditions. FIA observer Emanuele Pirro, a former head of McLaren’s Driver Development Programme, was also present to monitor the Brazilian’s progress closely.

Racing Bulls continued its morning work with Iwasa, who completed 8-lap stints with 4 fast laps interspersed with 2 cool-down laps and a pit stop midway through. Although Ayumu didn’t shine as much as before lunch, he completed his workload, making only one mistake at Tosa that forced an early return to the pits for necessary checks. The Faenza-based team resumed activity with three additional stints, incorporating drive-through practice. The day concluded with more grid start practice.

Iwasa wrapped up the day with 412 kilometers covered over 84 laps, while Gabriel Bortoleto completed 147 kilometers across 30 laps, only 5 of which were timed.