Gabriel Bortoleto’s Canadian Grand Prix was nearly derailed before the cars even hit the track. While the F1 drivers enjoyed a brief respite between Monaco and Montreal, chaos unfolded for Bortoleto in Switzerland. A thief made off with his backpack, containing vital items like his passport, creating quite the predicament.
Bortoleto, taking advantage of the downtime with a visit to Sauber’s base in Hinwil, found himself in an unexpected bind. During a dinner outing, his car was broken into, and his backpack stolen. “I had gone to dinner one day in Switzerland and they ended up opening the car and taking my backpack,” he shared with the Brazilian media. The stolen items included not only his passport but his computer and running gear as well.
Fortunately, the story has a relatively happy ending. Although not all possessions were recovered, crucial documents like his passport were found, allowing Bortoleto to proceed to Montreal.
Upon arrival at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Bortoleto joined the ranks of several drivers, including the Alpine team of Franco Colapinto and Jack Doohan, yet to score championship points. But the Brazilian racer remains optimistic. Inspired by teammate Nico Hulkenberg’s impressive performance in Spain, Bortoleto believes his time to shine is imminent.
“Well, honestly, I think so far [it] has been quite good,” Bortoleto remarked. The newcomer is adapting swiftly to the new tracks and appreciates the solid performance of his teammate as a benchmark for learning. However, he admits that mastering the new circuits isn’t the toughest challenge. “The media is more challenging in your rookie season,” he confessed, pointing out that F1’s demanding schedule is unlike anything he experienced in F2.
Rookies need to juggle more media and sponsor commitments in F1,” he explained, while emphasizing the importance of performing optimally on track. “I’ve been racing since I was six, and for almost 15 years, nothing like this has been part of my routine.” Despite these new hurdles, Bortoleto is determined to adapt and excel in his debut season.
Bortoleto’s unexpected ordeal seems to have reinforced his resolve on the racetrack. With his belongings mostly recovered, he can now focus on climbing the championship standings. Amidst the hurdles of being a rookie in the fast-paced world of F1, Bortoleto’s determination stands out as he prepares to take on future challenges.
