Sauber’s season kicks off in dramatic fashion as Hülkenberg clinches P7, while rookie Bortoleto endures a tough but insightful debut race.
No one really expected it before winter testing, yet here we are! Thanks to well-executed upgrades, smart race management, and the undeniable skill of Nico Hülkenberg, Sauber kicks off the season with an unexpected but well-earned P7 finish.
A strong start for the team, and a statement return to Hinwil for the German driver. Safe to say, he won’t be regretting his decision to leave Haas F1 anytime soon.
“I’m very, very happy. We really didn’t see this coming for the first race—it didn’t look that great beforehand!”
“The team did everything right. It got a bit chaotic towards the end, but we made the right calls while others struggled. We picked up the pieces when it mattered, and I’m thrilled to get these points.”
“Nailing the first race is always crucial. You learn so much from a Grand Prix, and now we know what adjustments we need to make. We have a few days to analyze everything, regroup, and push forward.”
A Tough Debut for Bortoleto
On the other side of the garage, Gabriel Bortoleto had a strong start to his first-ever F1 weekend, with solid qualifying and an impressive early race performance. But like many rookies, he fell victim to the tricky conditions. Still, there are positives to take away from his debut, right?
“It was a tough race. Everything was going well until the crash. We were unlucky with the strategy—a safety car came out just in front of me, and I ended up way behind as a result.”
“I tried to fight back, but I hit the curb and went into the wall. It’s frustrating, and I feel bad for the team.”
“But I’m happy for the points. Nico did an amazing job—he deserved it, and so did the team.”
“Overall, there were positives. In these conditions, anything can happen. You’re pushing to the limit, doing everything you can. Maybe I pushed too hard, but up until then, the race was going well. Qualifying was strong, too.”
A promising start for Sauber, with plenty to build on. One driver celebrates a dream comeback, while the other learns valuable lessons from his debut. The season is just getting started!
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Hülkenberg Shines, Bortoleto Learns – Sauber’s Rollercoaster Opener Hülkenberg Shines, Bortoleto Learns – Sauber’s Rollercoaster Opener
