Gabriel Bortoleto has kept teammate Nico Hulkenberg honest throughout the 2025 F1 season. Photo: RacePictures

Bortoleto: 'Don't know why you're here' if not ready for 2021 duel

21:16, 22 Oct

Updated: 21:49, 22 Oct

byLuke-John Buckle

Gabriel Bortoleto is adamant he will be ready to fight in a fierce world championship battle in his career, much like the 2021 duel between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

"If you don’t think like that, I don’t know why you’re here."

- Gabriel Bortoleto

Bortoleto has delivered some very competitive performances throughout his rookie season in Formula 1, including a career-best sixth-place finish in Hungary for Sauber.

The Brazilian explained in the press conference ahead of the United States Grand Prix that there is only one way to mentally approach intense title battles.

He said: "Yes [I'll be ready]. I don’t know for sure, but whatever happens, happens. You need to be ready.

"I think everyone needs to think the same in Formula 1. If you don’t think like that, I don’t know why you’re here.

"That season was very long for both of them. It was actually enjoyable to watch from the outside when I was watching it—very tense. Hopefully, at some point, I can get a season like that: very competitive and enjoyable right into the last race of the year."

gabriel-bortoleto-sauber-singapore-gp-f1

Gabriel Bortoleto's streak of seven qualifying duel victories over teammate Nico Hulkenberg has ended. Photo: RacePictures.

Bortoleto does have experience of fighting for and winning titles during his junior career. He spent time in the McLaren academy on the way up to F1 and clinched the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles in succession.

Sauber are laying the groundwork for the Audi takeover

The Sauber team will become Audi next season as the German manufacturer competes in Formula 1 for the first time as a factory entry.

The team has taken significant steps forward compared to last year, and Nico Hulkenberg delivered his first F1 podium with a third-place finish at the British Grand Prix.

They sit eighth in the Constructors' Championship and have tidied up some shortcomings, such as very slow pitstops that hurt Sauber last year.

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