Gabriel Bortoleto with the pace changed at the San Pablo GP

Just in the home race, the Brazilian suffered two abandonments: after the serious accident in the sprint, he did not complete a lap in the main race.

The Brazilians had been without a representative racing in their home Formula 1 GP for eight years. Therefore, the arrival of Gabriel Bortoleto to the top category as a Sauber driver ignited everyone’s enthusiasm.. The stands were filled every day with Brazilian flags and those of the Swiss team abounded. However, disappointment was widespread due to the complicated weekend that the São Paulo player experienced.

After experiencing a tremendous blow on the last lap of the sprint, losing control of his Sauber in the first corner, the C45 took flight on the curb and was destroyed.. The damage was so great that the team decided to change the chassis, but it did not arrive in time for Bortoleto to go out and qualify. Thus, he only had to start last in the race.

With renewed hopes, Bortoleto lived Sunday morning with the hospitality door full of people who wanted to see him for a photo, an autograph or to give him something.. The classic Brazil shirt with the number 5 (the one on the car) and his name was not missing. But everything was over very quickly: not a single lap was completed in the main race.

At the start of Pico do Pato, the São Paulo native fought for position on the outside with Lance Stroll, no less. It is not very advisable to take risks like this with the Canadian. And, true to his custom, he didn’t give an inch. The Brazilian, to avoid contact, stepped outside with the outer covers and, with the rain that had fallen intermittently, the ground was slippery. Thus, he spun, hit the wall and broke the suspension.

Bortoleto took the affection of his compatriots as the best gift, because sportingly it was a nightmare. The stands at the Interlagos circuit quickly went out. Gabriel crashed on the last lap of the sprint and on the first lap of the main race.