Photo: Race Pictures

How Bortoleto plans to avoid Antonelli-style slip in first home weekend

14:18, 02 Nov

Updated: 14:20, 02 Nov

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byTobia Elia

Brazil sensation Gabriel Bortoleto is set to experience his first home Grand Prix at Interlagos next week.

"We have a very good schedule for next week to make sure I attend all the commitments I have"

- Gabriel Bortoleto

For the first time since 2017, Brazilian fans will have the chance to cheer for a compatriot, following Felipe Massa’s final Formula 1 race.

Bortoleto will naturally face greater pressure on his shoulders, similar to what Kimi Antonelli experienced in Imola this year during his first home race in Italy, where off-track activities ended up affecting his on-track performance.

Something Sauber wants to avoid with their driver, a topic that was also put to him directly. At the end of the Mexican Grand Prix, he told the media: "The priority and the focus is always the weekend of the racing, it's the racing side of it, and all the sponsors know it.

Gabriel Bortoleto - Photo: Race Pictures

"Obviously I have more commitments than normal because that's why I get paid off, to go to these meetings, grids and talk to people and just be there, and I'm happy to do this."

"But at the same time, everyone supports me and knows that the priority is racing, and we have a very good schedule for next week to make sure I attend all the commitments I have, plus the most important — the racing side of it."

Wheatley sees shades of Verstappen in rookie Bortoleto

Bortoleto’s first season in Formula 1 has been impressive so far. Although he trails his much more experienced teammate Nico Hülkenberg by 22 points, the Brazilian has still scored 19 points and achieved several top-ten finishes, showcasing significant talent despite his limited experience.

Qualities that have even led Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley to draw comparisons between his driver and Max Verstappen, stating that he sees shades of the four-time world champion in him.

Here’s what the former Red Bull sporting director had to say about it.

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