Gabriel Bortoleto shared his views after crashing out of the F1 British GP last Sunday. The Sauber rookie could only last for 3 laps in the race after he lost the car in turn 2 on cold medium tyres.
20-year-old Gabriel Bortoleto entered the British GP weekend following his first-ever points finish in Austria in the previous race weekend. However, after a tactical error at the start of the race, the Brazilian was forced to retire early.
While most cars stuck with intermediates after pre-race showers, Bortoleto bet on slicks giving him an edge if the circuit dried quickly. It didn’t, and he paid the price. Just a couple of laps in, the 20-year-old lost control at Turn 2. He spun into the gravel, and damaged his rear wing. Though he rejoined, he was forced to pull over soon after, triggering a Virtual Safety Car and ending his race early.
Speaking about the incident following the race, Bortoleto said in the print media pen:
“I decided to go for mediums quite early, you know. Well, before the race starts, as I saw the track was drying, I just didn’t know how quick it was going to dry up. It didn’t dry up as quickly as I thought, to be honest.
“It was my decision, you know. I told the team I want to pit, I want to go for mediums. I feel like we can make a difference here if the track dries up quite quickly and it just didn’t pay off for me.”
Bortoleto on the tricky conditions at the F1 British GP
Reflecting further on the incident, Bortoleto said he underestimated how tricky Turn 1 would remain.
“I had a big snap out of T1, you know, in tricky conditions like that. I think we spent two laps behind the safety car, our virtual safety car, so also to bring the tyres up to temperature is very difficult. I just made a mistake and ended my race super early.
“I knew T1 was tough because I had a big snap one or two laps before. But the track felt like it was drying up in that section and I was just a bit too optimistic on power there, you know. I went on power and I had a big snap. It was tricky for everyone, not only for me. I’ve done a mistake.”
On Nico Hülkenberg’s maiden podium finish
Sauber’s other driver, Nico Hülkenberg, made history in Silverstone when secured the first podium finish of his career after 239 races. His P3 finish also marked Sauber’s first podium since 2012. Gabriel Bortoleto was quick to praise his teammate.
“I’m happy for Nico, you know. He did an amazing job and the team deserved it. You know, after a difficult day for me, they all deserve some good points and a podium for the first time for Nico and the team this year.”
“The whole team was screaming and jumping. I was with them. I didn’t even have the radio. I was just jumping with the engineers and the mechanics, everyone. I went running to the podium because I wanted to give a hug to Nico because what he did today was spectacular.”
