Bortoleto: “Austin was tough, but it taught me a lot.”
Bortoleto, who stated that the Austin track's bumpy terrain and low-grip conditions challenged him, said, "We now understand why things didn't go our way. There are a few major reasons, but they're internal team details. This was the first time I've had such a difficult weekend, but it taught me a lot. I want to put this behind me and focus on Mexico."
The Brazilian pilot also emphasized the importance of going through difficult weeks: “Perhaps it was a good thing to have a bad weekend like Austin. Because when everything is going well, you don't really notice the problems. But when things go bad, you question yourself and see more clearly the areas where you need to improve. That was a major turning point for me.”
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Photo: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Bortoleto also commented on Max Verstappen's performance in recent weeks, praising the Dutch champion: "There's no secret about what he's done. I think this is one of the greatest comebacks in championship history. Whether he wins or not, he's already making history. He hasn't had the fastest car for most of the year, but he's still in the title fight."
The young driver also responded to criticisms about Alonso saying he "chose the wrong teams," saying, "It's not a matter of talent; it's pure luck. Alonso was always among the top three or four teams, but he wasn't in the right place at the right time. I think he deserved many more championships."
Bortoleto also shared the advice he received from Fernando Alonso during his F3 career: “When things weren’t going my way in F3, Alonso sent me a long voice message. He told me I shouldn’t expect to win every race, that my form would naturally drop, but that I should keep working. I still remember those words.”
The young Sauber driver also expressed his excitement about racing at his home venue, Interlagos, after the race in Mexico: "It will be my first time racing at home in four years. It will be special for me to feel the support of the Brazilian people. But right now I'm just focusing on this weekend, taking it step by step."
