Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto feels issues are lastly “clicking” for him after progressing into Q3 for the primary time within the Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday.
Whereas teammate Nico Hulkenberg ended up useless final after a troublesome day at Spielberg, Bortoleto put in a powerful efficiency to interrupt into the ultimate leg of qualifying earlier than grabbing a career-high eight spot on the grid.
The Brazilian driver managed to outqualify fellow F1 rookie Kimi Antonelli and in addition ended up simply two tenths slower than four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen, who was eighth-fastest.
Bortoleto is likely one of the solely three drivers to fail to attain a degree this 12 months, however feels Austria may very well be the turning level in his marketing campaign, having had the arrogance to carry out proper from the primary session on Friday.
“I really feel just like the observe may be very particular for me,” stated Bortoleto, who scored his maiden F2 win on the Crimson Bull Ring a 12 months in the past.
“I am getting an increasing number of skilled with the automotive and the staff and the collection. It is just the start. It isn’t even half of this season for me.
“I have been working very exhausting and understanding what I want from my aspect, from the automotive, and I really feel like I am getting an increasing number of comfy with it and that I do know what I want earlier than even the weekend begins.
“I really feel prefer it’s the primary weekend that I am that comfy since FP1. It seems like issues are clicking for me and I am moving into the precise course.”
Sauber launched an up to date ground design to Spielberg, coupled with a brand new high-downforce rear wing, for added efficiency.
Whereas the brand new bundle performed its function in qualifying, Bortoleto believes his outcome was extra all the way down to the expertise he had gained within the opening 10 rounds of the season.
“I really feel like I am getting extra assured with the automotive,” he stated. “Not solely from the upgrades, but additionally myself and [the] understanding.
“In the beginning of the season, whenever you bounce within the automotive, it is mainly a special feeling. It is like each single FP1, you do not know how the automotive goes to behave, however then whenever you get used to the automotive an increasing number of, you begin placing it within the limits earlier within the weekend and you’re employed extra on your self on the driving, on the arrange, and I really feel like we now have been going on this course this week.
Looking forward to Sunday, Bortoleto stated he gained’t be too cautious initially of the race, however gained’t bask in pointless battles with sooner vehicles.
“It [the grid position] does not change a lot. My method for the beginning, I’ll attempt to do one of the best begin attainable [and] achieve some positions.
“If I can’t achieve, I’ll attempt to maintain there and attempt to make one of the best race tempo I can to attain factors tomorrow.”
He added: “Clearly it is not sensible in combating with folks you can’t keep forward of. However for certain I am a racer, I’ll attempt to achieve the positions early within the race and see what occurs.
“However I am not going to be specializing in overtaking those that I do know that most likely have higher tempo than me like Verstappen as a result of it can most likely simply destroy your tyres. Simply specializing in folks we really [are competing against].”
