Despite early challenges, Hülkenberg stays optimistic while rookie Bortoleto eyes progress and grip as Sauber chases midfield momentum.
Two races into the 2025 Formula 1 season, Nico Hülkenberg has taken stock of Sauber’s start—and it’s a mixed bag.
“One weekend was solid, the other wasn’t. Simple as that,” the German said, referring to the Grands Prix in Australia and China. “But overall, there were more positives than negatives. Scoring our first points was a key step.”
The Chinese Grand Prix, however, didn’t go as planned. “Especially on Sunday, it just wasn’t representative. But the feeling in the car and the atmosphere within the team were strong—so I’m staying optimistic,” Hülkenberg added. “As always, the midfield is incredibly tight. Small margins make a huge difference.”
When asked if Sauber can aim for points at every race, Hülkenberg remained cautious. “It’s tough. There are maybe five teams—ten cars—separated by just a few tenths. The top four teams usually lock out the first eight spots, which doesn’t leave much room for the rest of us. But that’s the midfield challenge. The team that maximizes every opportunity over the next few months will come out ahead.”
For rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, the first two races have been a valuable learning curve. Looking ahead to Suzuka, a track he’s never raced at but knows well from the simulator, the Brazilian is excited.
“I’m really happy to be heading to Suzuka,” Bortoleto said. “It’s a track I’ve driven on in sim racing since I was a kid—one of my favorites, even though I’ve never actually raced there. I can’t wait to get out for FP1.”
As for how long it will take him to feel completely at home in F1, he remains open: “That’s different for every driver. Some adapt faster than others. I think once we get into the European rounds—tracks we know from the junior series—it’ll feel more natural.”
At Sauber, development is focused on improving balance and overall speed, but Bortoleto is clear on what’s missing most: aerodynamic grip.
“We’re still working on the car’s balance and trying to make it quicker, especially in a way that makes it predictable in both qualifying and races,” he explained. “That’s key—especially early in a race—to understand how the car reacts to different driving styles. But compared to the top teams, what we’re really lacking is downforce. That’s what would allow us to close the gap, and that’s what we’re chasing.”
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Bortoleto: What Sauber Really Needs is More Downforce Bortoleto: What Sauber Really Needs is More Downforce