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 likewise ended up simply two tenths slower than four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen, who was eighth-fastest.
Bortoleto is among the solely three drivers to fail to attain some extent this 12 months, however feels Austria may very well be the turning level in his marketing campaign, having had the boldness 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 Pink Bull Ring a 12 months in the past.
“I am getting an increasing number of skilled with the automobile and the group and the sequence. It is just the start. It is not even half of this season for me.
“I have been working very onerous and understanding what I want from my aspect, from the automobile, 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 appears like issues are clicking for me and I am getting in the precise course.”
Sauber launched an up to date flooring design to Spielberg, coupled with a brand new high-downforce rear wing, for added efficiency.
Whereas the brand new package deal performed its function in qualifying, Bortoleto believes his consequence was extra right 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 automobile,” he stated. “Not solely from the upgrades, but additionally myself and [the] understanding.
“Originally of the season, while you leap within the automobile, it is mainly a special feeling. It is like each single FP1, you do not know how the automobile goes to behave, however then while you get used to the automobile 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 have now been going on this course this week.
Looking forward to Sunday, Bortoleto stated he gained’t be too cautious at first of the race, however gained’t take pleasure in pointless battles with sooner automobiles.
“It [the grid position] would not change a lot. My strategy for the beginning, I’ll attempt to do one of the best begin potential [and] achieve some positions.
“If I can not achieve, I’ll attempt to preserve there and attempt to make one of the best race tempo I can to attain factors tomorrow.”
He added: “Clearly it is unnecessary in preventing with individuals 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 who I do know that most likely have higher tempo than me like Verstappen as a result of it’ll most likely simply destroy your tyres. Simply specializing in individuals we truly [are competing against].”
