Sauber’s Jonathan Wheatley Shrugs Off Concerns Over Hulkenberg’s Struggles Against Rookie Bortoleto!
In a shocking twist within the high-octane world of Formula 1, Sauber’s team principal, Jonathan Wheatley, has boldly defended veteran driver Nico Hulkenberg amid growing scrutiny over his performance against the rising star, Gabriel Bortoleto. With a staggering 13-7 qualifying record in favor of Bortoleto this season, many fans and pundits are left questioning whether the experienced Hulkenberg can keep pace with his young teammate.
Bortoleto, the reigning Formula 2 champion, has made an impressive debut in the top tier, showcasing his talent with five appearances in the coveted Q3 this season. The Brazilian’s ability to outperform Hulkenberg has not gone unnoticed, as he outqualified the 38-year-old in a remarkable streak that includes races in Austria, Britain, Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, and Azerbaijan—tracks that Bortoleto is intimately familiar with from his F2 championship run.
Despite these statistics that could easily be used to critique Hulkenberg, Wheatley remains unfazed. “It’s a question that I’m being asked more and more often now,” he stated, dismissing any notion of underlying issues affecting his seasoned driver. “I personally don’t feel there’s any fundamental issue here. Nico is a tremendously experienced and fast racing driver.”
While Hulkenberg’s qualifying struggles are evident, he still managed to break his long-awaited podium drought by securing third place at the British Grand Prix. Currently sitting 10th in the championship standings, he holds an eight-point advantage over Bortoleto, having accumulated 19 more points overall.
Wheatley asserted, “We spend a lot of time talking about how Nico had never been on the podium. We’ve done that now. I honestly think it’s just a transient thing.” His faith in Hulkenberg’s capabilities is unwavering, insisting that both drivers are capable of out-qualifying each other depending on who nails the lap.
The Sauber team principal acknowledged the significant advantage Bortoleto has gained through circuit familiarity, which has played a crucial role in his recent successes. “If one of them gets the lap right, one of them is going to out-qualify the other,” Wheatley explained, emphasizing that Hulkenberg will soon find his footing and “string it together.”
Gabriel Bortoleto’s remarkable composure and maturity, especially in the face of challenging races, have impressed Wheatley. After a disappointing 15th-place finish at Zandvoort, the young driver handled the debrief with remarkable poise. “He’s wise beyond his years,” Wheatley praised. “He handled the debrief brilliantly. After a very frustrating race, again, the way he’s developing, I couldn’t ask for more as a team principal.”
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the contrasting dynamics between the seasoned veteran and the promising rookie. Will Hulkenberg reclaim his edge, or will Bortoleto continue to shine as the future star of Sauber? One thing is for sure: the battle for supremacy within the team is heating up, and fans can expect thrilling showdowns in the races to come.
