Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley says the team’s current drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg made it for the most supportive pairing the veteran F1 manager has ever seen.
Sauber signed Rookie Bortoleto after consecutive titles in Formula 2 and F3. The Brazilian was selected for the team’s new era alongside Hulkenberg in the all-new lineup in 2025, and as Audi next season. With two drivers scoring 45 points in the last six races, former Red Bull sports director Whaitley says the way they work together is a key aspect of the team’s recent revival.
“That’s very important,” Whaitley said. “I have to say it is the closest and most co-driver pairing.
“Gabriel has an incredible work ethic. He has the ability to take new information. He has proven in every way to become the future star we had hoped for, and Nico is part of that journey with him.
“Across the engineering table, I have this extraordinary experience and Nico’s proven talent. I mean, I’ve talked a lot about Gabi (after Hungary), but Nico has done an incredible job.
Boltret’s breakthrough run in Hungary testified to Sauber’s development, but Wheatley believes it is about the same as how his rookie driver is progressing. Joe Portlock/Getty Images
Boltret took a career-high sixth place in Hungary, earning his tally of 14 points in the last four races. Sauber has clearly taken a step forward in competitiveness, but Wheatley emphasizes the development of the driver himself.
“It’s worth pointing out again that he hasn’t tested 10,000 kilometres of his previous car,” he said. “He’s not 10,000 kilometres in a Formula 1 car.
“It’s his first season in Formula 1. There’s as many circuits as he’s never done, and there are some appearances that he’s never done.
“I think he’s matured and grown as a driver, and I think he’ll be able to adapt to these new circuits much faster than the first half of the season.”
