Bortoleto makes Italian GP prediction off the back of sterling P8

Gabriel Bortoleto is busy writing his own story in Formula 1, with his Monza qualifying result inscribing a few extra lines in the tale. Looking toward the race, though, the Brazilian driver shows caution.

On Saturday afternoon, the Brazilian rookie turned faces of friend and foe alike after finishing P8 when the qualifying session't timer reached zero.

His result prompted his teammate Nico Hulkenberg to praise him for being 'a machine' and equating his level of consistency to that of 'a printer' delivering on every race weekend.

Bortoleto wary of a 'tough' and 'long' race in Monza

For Sunday's race at the iconic Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, though, Bortoleto was cautious regarding his chances.

Speaking to GPblog, when asked what was possible said: "I don't know. We'll need to see.

"It's still time to have a look at the data now and understand what we can achieve."

Bortoleto predicts a long hard-fought day at the office during the Italian Grand Prix.

"I think it's going to be a tough race, a long race tomorrow and a lot of DRS zones.

"Let's try to keep people behind and even attack if possible, that would be great," the young Brazilian talent added, hopeful of a strong outing in Italy.

Bortoleto warns the midfield ahead of Italian Grand Prix

Coming off the back of what he himself described as a 'very bad race' in Zandvoort last time out in the Dutch Grand Prix, Bortoleto then made a statement that sheds lights on the team's aspirations at Monza.

"I think obviously in Monza I think we are in another level comparing to Zandvoort," he concluded.