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The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
F1: Bortoleto hopes he can fight for points for rest of Formula One 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.' ALSO READ | F1 issues pre-season testing dates ahead 2026 season; Azerbaijan Grand Prix moved up a day 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.'
The Star
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Motor racing-Bortoleto hopes he can fight for points for rest of F1 season
Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Kick Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto (5) and Alpine driver Jack Doohan (7) race during the F1 Montreal Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images (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." (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge)
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Bortoleto hopes he can fight for points for rest of F1 season
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 Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Kimi Antonelli's Formula One podium debut likely to be first of many
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli celebrates on the podium after finishing third at the Canadian Grand Prix. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Kimi Antonelli's Formula One podium debut likely to be first of many MONTREAL - Kimi Antonelli felt goosebumps in Canada on June 15 after becoming the first Italian driver in 16 years to finish on the Formula One podium. The 18-year-old Mercedes rookie made it to the bottom step this time but nobody doubted it would be the first of many for the third youngest F1 driver of all time to score a top three result. The last Italian on the podium was Jarno Trulli with Toyota in October 2009. "I knew Kimi coming up through the karting ranks, people were already saying great things, so I was keeping an eye on him," said Red Bull's four times world champion Max Verstappen who finished one place ahead and had his first podium at 18. "I think what's impressive is he's naturally quick. What I like is his level-headed, calm approach. Those are great qualities to have. I was never in doubt that the podium would come this year. "I'm very happy that it happened for him. It gives you more confidence. It's a nice boost. And it will only get better," added the Dutch driver. Antonelli has taken the seat vacated by seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton but the team have emphasised he needs time to learn and will make mistakes. In fact he has made very few in a season that has already seen him become the youngest driver to take a pole, albeit in a sprint, lead a race and set fastest lap. "I was just hoping for the race to finish, to be honest," said Antonelli of an afternoon where he seized third place from McLaren's championship leader Oscar Piastri on the opening lap and then held on. "I was even looking at the screen counting the laps because it was very stressful." Antonelli said the last few laps had been a struggle, with Piastri getting ever closer, but a late safety car after Piastri and teammate Lando Norris collided took the pressure off. Stepping out onto the Montreal podium and hearing the crowd at a circuit named after Ferrari great Gilles Villeneuve and in a city where there is a significant Italian community, was better than he had imagined. "I had massive goosebumps. That is definitely a moment I will remember for a very long time. It gives you a boost -results like this and this feeling, you can't buy this feeling," said the fan-voted 'Driver of the Day'. "It's an amazing feeling and you just want more. "Now the next goal is to win, to bring Italy back on top. This result was needed. It's also for all the Italian tifosi (fans) out there. "Imola (his first home race) was an incredible weekend for me in terms of support. It didn't go as well as I wanted, but seeing so much support already early on is great. So, this result is also for them." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Antonelli's F1 podium debut likely to be first of many
Antonelli's F1 podium debut likely to be first of many MONTREAL - Kimi Antonelli felt goosebumps in Canada on Sunday after becoming the first Italian driver in 16 years to finish on the Formula One podium. The 18-year-old Mercedes rookie made it to the bottom step this time but nobody doubted it would be the first of many for the third youngest F1 driver of all time to score a top three result. The last Italian on the podium was Jarno Trulli with Toyota in October 2009. "I knew Kimi coming up through the karting ranks, people were already saying great things, so I was keeping an eye on him," said Red Bull's four times world champion Max Verstappen who finished one place ahead and had his first podium at 18. "I think what's impressive is he's naturally quick. What I like is his level-headed, calm approach. Those are great qualities to have. I was never in doubt that the podium would come this year. "I'm very happy that it happened for him. It gives you more confidence. It's a nice boost. And it will only get better," added the Dutch driver. Antonelli has taken the seat vacated by seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton but the team have emphasised he needs time to learn and will make mistakes. In fact he has made very few in a season that has already seen him become the youngest driver to take a pole, albeit in a sprint, lead a race and set fastest lap. "I was just hoping for the race to finish, to be honest," said Antonelli of an afternoon where he seized third place from McLaren's championship leader Oscar Piastri on the opening lap and then held on. "I was even looking at the screen counting the laps because it was very stressful." Antonelli said the last few laps had been a struggle, with Piastri getting ever closer, but a late safety car after Piastri and teammate Lando Norris collided took the pressure off. Stepping out onto the Montreal podium and hearing the crowd at a circuit named after Ferrari great Gilles Villeneuve and in a city where there is a significant Italian community, was better than he had imagined. "I had massive goosebumps. That is definitely a moment I will remember for a very long time. It gives you a boost -results like this and this feeling, you can't buy this feeling," said the fan-voted 'Driver of the Day'. "It's an amazing feeling and you just want more. "Now the next goal is to win, to bring Italy back on top. This result was needed. It's also for all the Italian tifosi (fans) out there. "Imola (his first home race) was an incredible weekend for me in terms of support. It didn't go as well as I wanted, but seeing so much support already early on is great. So, this result is also for them." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
