Sauber group principal Jonathan Wheatley says the group’s present drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg made it for essentially the most supportive pairing the veteran F1 supervisor has ever seen.
Sauber signed Rookie Bortoleto after consecutive titles in Formulation 2 and F3. The Brazilian was chosen for the group’s new period alongside Hulkenberg within the all-new lineup in 2025, and as Audi subsequent season. With two drivers scoring 45 factors within the final six races, former Crimson Bull sports activities director Whaitley says the best way they work collectively is a key facet of the group’s current revival.
“That is crucial,” Whaitley stated. “I’ve to say it’s the closest and most co-driver pairing.
“Gabriel has an unimaginable work ethic. He has the flexibility to take new info. He has confirmed in each option to change into the long run star we had hoped for, and Nico is a part of that journey with him.
“Throughout the engineering desk, I’ve this extraordinary expertise and Nico’s confirmed expertise. I imply, I’ve talked lots about Gabi (after Hungary), however Nico has carried out an unimaginable job.
Boltret’s groundbreaking execution in Hungary testified to Sauber’s improvement, however Wheatley believes it’s about the identical as how his rookie driver goes. Joe Portlock/Getty Photos
Boltret took a career-high sixth place in Hungary, incomes his tally of 14 factors within the final 4 races. Sauber has clearly taken a step ahead in competitiveness, however Wheatley emphasizes the event of the motive force himself.
“It is value stating once more that he hasn’t examined 10,000 kilometres of his earlier automotive,” he stated. “He is not 10,000 kilometres in a Formulation 1 automotive.
“It is his first season in Formulation 1. There’s as many circuits as he is by no means carried out, and there are some appearances that he is by no means carried out.
“I believe he is matured and grown as a driver, and I believe he’ll be capable to adapt to those new circuits a lot sooner than the primary half of the season.”
