Gabriel Bortoleto approaches his first Miami Grand Prix with growing confidence, aiming to shine despite the challenges of a Sprint weekend.
Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto is steadily finding his feet in Formula 1—and he’s eager to keep the momentum going as the series heads to Miami.
The Brazilian driver will be taking on the Miami Grand Prix for the first time this weekend. Like in China, the Sprint format means less time to learn the track, but Bortoleto is embracing the challenge with confidence.
“It’s a Sprint weekend and a brand-new circuit for me, so it’s going to be intense,” he said. “You need to be sharp right away with both the car and the track. Miami is a great city, and I’m really looking forward to driving again.”
Still early in his F1 journey, Bortoleto says each race weekend adds to his experience—and his confidence.
“I feel like I’m making progress every weekend. In Formula 1, even with five or ten years of experience, you’re always understanding the car better. But as a rookie, the learning curve is even steeper. It takes time, and that’s just part of the process.”
He admits that adapting to the car and unfamiliar tracks is a work in progress, but he’s focused on closing that gap quickly.
“Sometimes you feel like you’re right on the edge in practice or qualifying, like you’re getting everything out of the car—even if the times don’t show it. The key is to get comfortable as quickly as possible. That’s what top drivers do, and that’s what I’m aiming for.”
Known as one of Max Verstappen’s closest friends on the grid, Bortoleto was also asked whether he had any inside info on the Dutch driver’s upcoming journey into fatherhood.
“I haven’t spoken to him in the past few days,” he said with a smile. “But honestly, I don’t think fatherhood will change anything about Max as a driver. He won’t be any slower—maybe even faster! His mindset is unshakable, and he’s going to keep doing what he does best.”
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Bortoleto Targets Breakthrough Weekend on Miami Debut
Bortoleto Targets Breakthrough Weekend on Miami Debut
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