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Gabriel Bortoleto says racing Fernando Alonso feels “a bit different” after the pair went wheel-to-wheel during a late-race scrap in the F1 Austrian GP.
Gabriel Bortoleto shared that racing against Fernando Alonso felt “a bit different” after going wheel-to-wheel in the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix.
For Bortoleto, facing a two-time World Champion like Alonso added a unique challenge to the race dynamics.
Securing his first points finish of the season, the Sauber driver crossed the line eighth behind Alonso’s Aston Martin at the Red Bull Ring.
This result showcased the Swiss outfit’s resurgence, fueled by recent upgrades introduced over the last few races.
Despite a slow start in his rookie campaign, Bortoleto is now demonstrating promising pace and racecraft in F1, with Alonso mentoring him since September 2022 when he joined Alonso’s management company.
Their intense battle on track revealed their fierce competitiveness, with Bortoleto acknowledging the “weird” feeling of racing against his boss.
