How the first direct contact between the two new Sauber drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg went and what was discussed
In the Formula 1 podcast “F1 Nation”, Gabriel Bortoleto is asked whether he has already exchanged ideas with his future Sauber team colleague Nico Hülkenberg. He says yes and says: “We had a short conversation.”
But was the timing really that good? According to Bortoleto, he and Sauber boss Mattia Binotto had scheduled their phone call with Hülkenberg rather early. “It seemed like Nico was just waking up when we called him. But he was super nice to me. We had a short chat, he congratulated me.”
Bortoleto doesn’t say much about what else was discussed in their first phone call together. However, he is very much looking forward to working with Hülkenberg, whom he describes as a “fast and experienced man”. “I want to learn from him and see what we can achieve together. It’s going to be very cool having him as a teammate,” says Bortoleto.
During his initial conversation with Hülkenberg, he recognized a positive attitude. “We are both looking forward to working together,” says Bortoleto. “But actually, I need to talk to him in person at some point. That’s why I told Nico: when I’m in Monaco, I’ll come by and knock on his door. Then we can have a coffee together.”
For the time being, Formula 2 has priority for Bortoleto
However, Formula 2 has priority for the time being, Bortoleto emphasizes. Binotto has already told him: “Mattia wants me to concentrate fully on Formula 1 [only] after Abu Dhabi. Until then, he doesn’t want to distract me.”
Bortoleto is not supposed to get involved in his new adventure until after the 2024 Formula 1 finale. “Mattia then wants to create a good atmosphere around me and put people by my side who can help me develop as a rookie in Formula 1,” he explains. “I should have the best possible conditions to take the step into Formula 1.”
But that doesn’t mean that he won’t be involved in the Formula 1 project at all in the coming weeks, Bortoleto continues: “Of course we will still talk to each other, because we all still have to get to know each other. And so far it has been very good to have initial conversations and prepare the first things for next year.”
Until then, Bortoleto still has a lot at stake: he currently leads the overall Formula 2 standings and, with two race weekends remaining, is embroiled in a close title fight with Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar.