Sauber struggles with brake problems in Formula 1 qualifying in Saudi Arabia 2025: According to Nico Hülkenberg, advancing to Q2 would have been possible
The streets of Jeddah do not forgive mistakes – Nico Hülkenberg and the Sauber team learned this the hard way in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Both drivers were out after Q1. Hülkenberg finished 18th after an unfortunate braking error, while rookie Gabriel Bortoleto came last. The team had still had cause for cautious optimism on Friday.
Hülkenberg was visibly disappointed after the session: “I locked up the inside wheel, missed the corner, completely missed turn two. It was strange because I could sense something was wrong – the front tires didn’t feel good on the outlap,” he said, describing the decisive moment.
Although he said he braked earlier, the car did not slow down as expected. “You just had to stay on the brakes, but the front axle was locked up. It was quite strange and weird – we’ll have to take a closer look at that.” What remains is the feeling that much more could have been possible: “The two tenths in Q2 were definitely there. It wasn’t ideal – there was still something to be had today.”
Hülkenberg: Sauber’s Friday pace not realistic
The team had still looked solid after Friday. “I think we were relatively well organized yesterday,” said Hülkenberg. “Others were still having problems, which made us look a little better than was realistic. Overnight, many found their feet, and the pecking order was restored.”
Team boss Jonathan Wheatley, who has been in charge at Sauber since the start of this season, also had mixed feelings about the missed opportunities. ”We were actually confident of reaching Q2. Both drivers had problems in turn one—Nico didn’t get the bite he wanted from the brakes, and Gabriel had good momentum coming out of the slipstream but couldn’t hold the car in turn two.”
Bortoleto struggles with a deficit and bad luck
A particular disappointment: the situation was far from ideal for Bortoleto. After a fuel line failure, the team had to change the monocoque, meaning the Brazilian missed the second free practice session completely and started qualifying from behind. He was all the more grateful for the crew’s efforts: “A big thank you to the team for getting the car ready in time for FP3 and qualifying,” he said.
In sporting terms, however, Saturday was disappointing: “I had a decent first push lap, but then I picked up a plastic bag, had to pit, and on my third attempt I was too optimistic in the slipstream of Max [Verstappen]. I missed the braking point and spun – my mistake.”
Sauber is therefore facing a difficult race. Both drivers will start from far back on a city circuit that offers little room for overtaking despite its long straights. Hülkenberg remains combative: “The starting position is obviously not ideal. But we will give it our all. We need a bit of action in front of us and a clever strategy – then maybe there’s still something in it.”
