Nico Hülkenberg stays calm after Bahrain DQ, insisting Sauber isn’t in crisis and the issue came down to track conditions.
Hülkenberg isn’t losing sleep over his Bahrain Grand Prix disqualification. The Sauber F1 driver, who had his result scrapped due to excessive plank wear under the car, sees it as part of racing — not a sign of a deeper issue within the team.
“I think there was just a bit too much wear, plain and simple,” Hülkenberg said during the Saudi Arabian GP weekend. “It’s always about finding that fine balance.”
According to the German, the changing wind conditions may have contributed to the problem. “We had a headwind down the main straight during qualifying and the race, which naturally pushes the car down more. It’s just one of those things,” he shrugged.
Bortoleto: “Tough Start, But I’m Learning”
Meanwhile, rookie Gabriel Bortoleto is facing the tough reality of life in F1. Still chasing his first points, the Brazilian admits it’s been a frustrating beginning, but he’s keeping perspective.
“Honestly, it’s not easy,” he said. “I came from championships where I was used to being in the press room because I won or finished on the podium. Now, just getting to Q2 or fighting for Q3 feels like a huge effort.”
Bortoleto referenced George Russell’s early struggles as inspiration. “He didn’t score a point in his first season, and now he’s one of the top guys, regularly fighting at the front. So I know this is part of the process.”
He’s aware that his current limitations aren’t about him — they’re about the car. “There’s not much I can do right now. I just have to learn, grow, and become a better driver each weekend,” he added. “We’re not realistically in the points fight at the moment — that’s the reality for both me and Nico.”
Hülkenberg managed to score in Australia, but Bortoleto points out it wasn’t on pure pace. “That was a messy race. On raw speed alone, we haven’t been there in the last few rounds.”
Focus on the Bigger Picture
Now, both drivers are focused on helping Sauber develop the car. “That’s our job — to guide the team in the right direction,” Bortoleto said. “We saw it last year: Sauber struggled all season, but a couple of upgrades turned things around, and suddenly they were back in Q3.”
“In F1, things can change fast. That’s something I’ve already learned — so giving up is not an option.”
Hülkenberg brushes off DQ: “No panic inside Sauber” Hülkenberg brushes off DQ: “No panic inside Sauber”
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