Latest news with #DriverOfTheDay
CNA
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- CNA
Bortoleto hopes he can fight for points for rest of F1 season
Gabriel Bortoleto hopes he and Sauber can fight for points for the rest of the Formula One season after he scored his first in Austria at the weekend and was voted Driver of the Day. The first Brazilian since Felipe Massa in 2017 to score, the rookie finally opened his account with a breakthrough eighth place in his 11th race. Teammate Nico Hulkenberg made it a double celebration by finishing ninth from the back of the grid - the German's third race in a row in the points. Champion in Formula Two last year, 20-year-old Bortoleto was chasing his manager, Aston Martin's double world champion Fernando Alonso, all the way to the chequered flag at Spielberg on Sunday. "It couldn't be better to get my first points fighting with him. Unfortunately I didn't manage to overtake him but it was very close," he told Sky Sports television. Alonso, who made his debut with uncompetitive Minardi at the age of 19 in 2001, knew how important it was for Bortoleto. "He has been outstanding this season and for one reason or another Hulkenberg was always scoring the points on Sunday," said the Spaniard. "He felt it was a little bit unfair sometimes that he cannot see his name with points already with the performance he was achieving. Happy for him that he has unlocked this situation now and he can have fun. Hopefully the first of many in the points." Bortoleto felt his season had followed a familiar pattern from junior series of gaining experience before making rapid progress. "In F3 I was dominating from the beginning but F2 I had a tough start to the season and I've been growing up a lot during the season and I managed to win," he said. "And in F1 I think I am doing more or less the same as in F2, growing through the season, learning a lot of things. "Hopefully (for the rest of the season) we can be fighting for what we have been fighting for today. I feel like if the team keeps doing the job they have been doing this weekend, we can achieve big things." Team boss Jonathan Wheatley said earlier in the week that Bortoleto was gaining in confidence all the time and the results would come. "What can I say? An outstanding performance all weekend," he told the driver over team radio at the end. "First points, well-deserved, amazing race and we were in the hunt. We've got a racing car."
Reuters
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
Bortoleto hopes he can fight for points for rest of F1 season
June 30 (Reuters) - Gabriel Bortoleto hopes he and Sauber can fight for points for the rest of the Formula One season after he scored his first in Austria at the weekend and was voted Driver of the Day. The first Brazilian since Felipe Massa in 2017 to score, the rookie finally opened his account with a breakthrough eighth place in his 11th race. Teammate Nico Hulkenberg made it a double celebration by finishing ninth from the back of the grid -- the German's third race in a row in the points. Champion in Formula Two last year, 20-year-old Bortoleto was chasing his manager, Aston Martin's double world champion Fernando Alonso, all the way to the chequered flag at Spielberg on Sunday. "It couldn't be better to get my first points fighting with him. Unfortunately I didn't manage to overtake him but it was very close," he told Sky Sports television. Alonso, who made his debut with uncompetitive Minardi at the age of 19 in 2001, knew how important it was for Bortoleto. "He has been outstanding this season and for one reason or another Hulkenberg was always scoring the points on Sunday," said the Spaniard. "He felt it was a little bit unfair sometimes that he cannot see his name with points already with the performance he was achieving. Happy for him that he has unlocked this situation now and he can have fun. Hopefully the first of many in the points." Bortoleto felt his season had followed a familiar pattern from junior series of gaining experience before making rapid progress. "In F3 I was dominating from the beginning but F2 I had a tough start to the season and I've been growing up a lot during the season and I managed to win," he said. "And in F1 I think I am doing more or less the same as in F2, growing through the season, learning a lot of things. "Hopefully (for the rest of the season) we can be fighting for what we have been fighting for today. I feel like if the team keeps doing the job they have been doing this weekend, we can achieve big things." Team boss Jonathan Wheatley said earlier in the week that Bortoleto was gaining in confidence all the time and the results would come. "What can I say? An outstanding performance all weekend," he told the driver over team radio at the end. "First points, well-deserved, amazing race and we were in the hunt. We've got a racing car."
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fans label Max Verstappen the 'funniest Driver of the Day ever' as he wins vote despite 10-second penalty at the Spanish Grand Prix after collision with George Russell
Fans couldn't help but see the funny side as Max Verstappen was named the Driver of the Day despite a 10-second penalty which saw the Red Bull man finish 10th in the Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen was handed the penalty after colliding with George Russell in the dramatic final laps of the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday as tensions between the two were reignited. The incident with three laps of the race remaining as Verstappen's team instructed him to let Russell through after he had gained an unfair advantage earlier in the race. The 27-year-old was clearly reluctant, replying 'no, no, no, no,' on the radio. However, he did then appear to comply as he moved off-line on a turn, seemingly offering Russell a route past. What followed shocked viewers as Verstappen made contact with the side of Russell's Mercedes as the Brit attempted to pass. Russell was left stunned, immediately yelling 'What the f***?' over team radio – a reaction that drew added attention given his previous criticism of FIA attempts to clamp down on swearing during live broadcasts. Race stewards immediately launched an investigation and, after reviewing the footage, handed Verstappen a 10-second penalty for causing a collision. Despite this Verstappen was named the Salesforce Driver of the Day, much to the amusement of fans on social media. 'This has to be the funniest Driver of the Day ever,' wrote one with the graphic below. Fans vote for the award and many will have placed their vote before the controversial moment with Russell took place. After the sanction, the reigning world champion finished 10th, with Oscar Piastri taking the chequered flag for McLaren. Reacting to the incident in a post-race interview with Sky Sports, Russell said: 'I was as surprised as you guys probably were. 'I have seen those kind of manoeuvres before on simulated games and in go-karting but never in Formula One. 'Ultimately, we came home in P4 and he came home in P10, so I don't really know what was going through his mind. It felt deliberate in the moment.' Verstappen then gave a very spiky interview to Sky. The opening question asked whether his move on Russell had been intentional and he replied: 'Does it matter?' After the interviewer suggested that it did indeed matter to the fans, Verstappen sarcastically added: 'OK, that's great. I prefer to speak about the race than one single moment.' When it was put to him that his 10th-place finish had damaged his hopes of retaining his crown as world champion, he hit back: 'If there are any. I think we are way too slow anyway to fight for the title. I think that was clear again today.' Sunday's result left Verstappen 49 points behind leader Piastri in the drivers' standings. The interview ended with the reporter again probing Verstappen about the collision with Russell. It was put to Verstappen: 'We all see what an incredible driver you are and it is horrible to see that shine taken off.' He shrugged his shoulders and replied: 'Is it? Yeah, OK, that's your opinion. We'll leave it there.'
