‘Very lucky’ Bortoleto vows to learn from Sprint crash mistake

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Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto admits he was lucky to walk away from his massive 57G crash at the end of Saturday’s Sprint event at Interlagos.

The Brazilian’s first F1 weekend at home took a dramatic turn in the short-form event when he lost control of his car while attempting to pass the Williams of Alex Albon on his approach into Turn 1.

His Sauber veered left, struck the inside barrier, and launched into the air before slamming into the opposite wall.

The crash, which destroyed Bortoleto’s car and ruled him out of qualifying, was a bitter blow for the local hero.

Yet, despite the disappointment, the 21-year-old cut a composed figure afterward, admitting fault and insisting that the experience will serve as an important lesson early in his Formula 1 career.

A Lucky Escape

“Life moves on and I hope I will learn from my mistakes in the future as well,” Bortoleto told reporters, suggesting the crash may have been influenced by damp patches after overnight rain or a potential DRS issue.

The young Brazilian was taken to the medical centre for checks but quickly cleared to return to the paddock.

“Obviously, I feel a little bit of pain here or there, but normal pain… So I’m very lucky because I think it could have been much worse,” he said.

Adapting to Life in F1

“I’ve been used to fighting always at the front in my previous series. And now in Formula 1, I don’t quite have the car yet, so I need to fight at some point,” he said.

“The whole year I think I’ve been backing out and not being able to fight.”

Bortoleto’ words capture the frustration of a former F2 champion adapting to a midfield Sauber that lacks the pace to compete for top positions.

With his Sauber too damaged to rebuild, Bortoleto will start Sunday’s Grand Prix from the back of the grid – an unfortunate position at his home race, but one he intends to make the most of.

“I’m still comfortable with my car and everything. It’s just that I’m not being able to put it together this weekend, but the speed was there,” he said, hoping for what he called a “wacky race” to turn his fortunes around.

Even in adversity, Bortoleto’s determination shone through – a sign that the Brazilian rookie is already learning the hard lessons of Formula 1.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.