Ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto’s first F1 race at home in Brazil, Nico Hülkenberg has praised his Sauber teammate ahead of the São Paulo GP weekend.
A very strong relationship between Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto
Speaking in his print media session ahead of Sunday’s F1 São Paulo GP, Nico Hülkenberg was asked about his relationship with teammate Gabriel Bortoleto as the pair come towards the end of their first season together.
Despite a difference of 17 years between the pair, the veteran and rookie have worked together very well. Bortoleto’s delight over the radio and in Parc Fermé when Hülkenberg secured his first F1 podium at Silverstone showed how much respect the pair share.
Hülkenberg explained the importance of a good relationship with his teammate, bringing a good and friendly atmosphere inside the team.
“I think it’s very good, very positive. we have a lot of respect for each other. I think our relationship is very, very good, professional, but we also have a lot of fun together at the same time, which is important. And also to have a good dynamic with your teammate.
“Whilst we’re obviously competitive and we’re supposed to beat each other, it’s still important somehow to have the human side as well, to have fun with each other, because that also sets the tone for the team and makes the whole team environment and vibe better.
“Obviously, we’re at very different points in our career. It reminds me a lot about 2010 when I started and Rubens was the very experienced guy, so there’s quite a few similarities there.
“But it’s been good.”
Nico Hülkenberg hugely impressed by Gabriel Bortoleto in this rookie F1 season ahead of the São Paulo GP
Although Hülkenberg leads 41-19 in points, Bortoleto has proven to be right on pace with the German.
In Grand Prix qualifying, the Brazilian went on a 7-0 run from Austria through to Azerbaijan, comprehensively putting the German in the shade at that stage. While Hülkenberg has hit back at the last three rounds, Bortoleto still holds an 11-9 lead.
Hülkenberg discussed how good he believes the 2023 F3 and 2024 F2 champion can be. He declared him as one of the biggest talents from the rookie crop over a long period of time.
“Gabi’s one of the most promising rookies I’ve seen in a long, long time. He’s very high quality, extremely fast learner, extremely quick.
“And I think, yeah, if it continues like this, he will have a very positive and successful career.”
Some similarities to his first season in F1 with Rubens Barrichello at Williams
In 2010 Nico Hülkenberg made his F1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix, taking a stunning maiden pole at Interlagos later that year. He was paired alongside Rubens Barrichello that year. At that stage the Brazilian went on to have the most starts in the history of the sport.
Hülkenberg says some similarities can be shared with that season versus what is happening with Bortoleto right now.
“I think some things, yes. Some things, no. Obviously, different characters on the scene.
“So it felt a bit different, anyway, in my view, in my perception.”
