F1: Gabriel Bortoleto faces off-tracks in Baku and aims for strong quali at the Azerbaijan Formula 1 Grand Prix

Gabriel Bortoleto faced an intense Friday on the streets of Baku during the free practice sessions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Formula 1. The Sauber driver recorded the 14th fastest time in FP1 and 15th in FP2, dealing with off-tracks that tested the car’s limits. These initial sessions revealed the demands of the Azerbaijani layout, known for its tight corners and fast straights.

The track, stretching 6.003 km with 48 corners, requires absolute precision from competitors. Bortoleto, 20 years old, completed 21 laps in the second practice, posting 1:42 on softs, but admitted that the tricky conditions forced constant adjustments in the team. He highlighted the learning gained from exploring the C44’s limits, Sauber’s car for 2025.

Several drivers shared the same fate in the escape areas, including tense moments in turn 3 and the castle section. These incidents, common on street circuits, serve as valuable lessons before qualifying.

• Main off-tracks recorded: Turn 3 (FP1, Bortoleto and Bearman), castle zone (FP2, multiple drivers), exit of turn 4 (Norris damaged suspension).
• Bortoleto’s times: 1:44.087 in FP1 (medium), 1:42 in FP2 (soft).
• Laps completed: 18 in FP1, 21 in FP2, focusing on quali simulations.
• Sauber adjustments: Improved rear traction to reduce understeer.
• Comparison with teammate: Hülkenberg in 12th in FP1, ahead in race pace.

Technical challenges of the Baku layout for Sauber

The Baku City Circuit poses unique challenges to Formula 1 teams, especially for outfits like Sauber seeking progress in the midfield pack. Bortoleto started the day on medium tires, initially logging 16th in FP1, but climbed two spots after a second quick run. A 25-minute red flag due to issues with the kerbs between turns 16 and 17 disrupted planning, forcing the team to prioritize high-speed setups on the main straight.

Lewis Hamilton, who “kissed” the wall in FP1, recovered to lead FP2 with 1:41.293, closely followed by Charles Leclerc. This Ferrari one-two illustrated the ideal balance between top speed of 342 km/h and stability in low-grip corners. Bortoleto, meanwhile, experienced instability when switching to softs, leaving him 15th, 1.477s off the pace. Sauber worked on suspension updates to mitigate understeer, common in sector 2 of the layout.

Friday Practice Complete ✅🏁

We return to the streets of Baku for more track action tomorrow! #AzerbaijanGP 🇦🇿 pic.twitter.com/qUKqB75OjO

— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) September 19, 2025

The FP2 session saw the track evolve quickly, with times dropping progressively as the asphalt warmed. Drivers like George Russell briefly took the lead, but Hamilton prevailed with a clean lap. For Bortoleto, the emphasis was on long stints, simulating 15 laps at an average 1:46 pace, positioning Sauber for an aggressive strategy in the 51-lap race.

These practices exposed weaknesses in Sauber’s aerodynamic balance, particularly in turn 8, one of the calendar’s most feared for its blind entry and length. The Brazilian avoided collisions by using the escape areas correctly but stressed the need for overnight refinements to gain traction.

Analysis of off-tracks and lessons for quali

Off-tracks marked the day for several competitors, including Bortoleto, who pushed the car’s limits at key moments. In FP1, he went wide in turn 3 right after leaving the pits, rejoining without significant time loss. These incidents, though risky, provided crucial data on kerb grip and Pirelli C3 and C4 tire adhesion.

McLaren suffered mechanical woes: Oscar Piastri dealt with engine failures in FP1, limiting him to few laps, while Lando Norris damaged his suspension in FP2 by clipping the wall in turn 4. Bortoleto noted that such errors are part of the process in Baku, where the “castle” – the technical section with slow corners – punishes hesitations. His best FP1 lap came on mediums, 1:44.087, improving Sauber’s pace from Monza, where he finished eighth.

Overnight, Sauber engineers will analyze telemetry to optimize the engine map and brake bias distribution. Bortoleto expressed optimism, feeling comfortable with the current setup for a competitive quali. The track, with asphalt at 35°C during FP2, underscored the importance of tire thermal management.

• Factors contributing to off-tracks: High entry speeds into corners (over 300 km/h), unstable kerbs after interruptions, uneven track evolution.
• Recovery strategies: Use of undercut during frequent safety cars (10 in eight Baku editions), focus on qualification for clean start.
• Time comparisons: Bortoleto 0.8s behind Hülkenberg in FP2, but superior in long stints.
• Overnight preparation: Quali simulations in the simulator, adjustments to rear wing for more downforce.

Pace of the competition and Sauber’s grid position

The competition showed varied strength in free practice, with Ferrari dominating FP2 and McLaren FP1. Norris set 1:42.704 in the first session, followed by Piastri 0.310s back, with Leclerc third. In FP2, Mercedes’ Russell completed the podium, with Kimi Antonelli fourth, signaling promising youth in the 2025 grid.

Bortoleto, with 18 points in the Drivers’ Championship and 16th overall, outshines rivals like Pierre Gasly in consistency on street circuits. Sauber, with just 12 points this season, relies on results like Bortoleto’s eighth in Monza to avoid relegation. His teammate Nico Hülkenberg, with 37 points, briefly led FP2 on mediums but dropped to 12th.

Baku’s layout favors overtakes on the main straight, where DRS creates decisive windows. Teams like Red Bull, with Max Verstappen seventh in FP1, tested engine updates to regain ground after Monza. Bortoleto plans to exploit these zones to advance in quali, scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. Brasília time.

These early standings suggest a tight Q2, where Sauber could fight for the top 12. The Brazilian highlighted the importance of a clean lap, avoiding the escape traps that cost time to rookies like Oliver Bearman.

Schedule and broadcast of the weekend in Baku

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule continues with intensity, offering morning slots for Brazilian fans. The third free practice runs Saturday at 5:30 a.m., followed by qualifying at 9 a.m., aired on Band and Bandsports. The main race, 51 laps, starts Sunday at 8 a.m., also on Band.

Formula 2 shadows the calendar, with qualifying Friday at 7 a.m., race 1 Saturday at 7:15 a.m., and race 2 Sunday at 4 a.m., all on Bandsports. These events complement the Baku spectacle, where safety cars alter strategies.

For Bortoleto, quali sets the weekend: a good position eases race defenses, where he eyes points for the third straight time. Sauber invests in practice data for hybrid setups, balancing speed and stability.

• Key times (Brasília): FP3 Saturday 5:30 a.m. (Bandsports/F1TV Pro), Quali 9 a.m. (Band/Bandsports/F1TV Pro), Race Sunday 8 a.m. (Band/F1TV Pro).
• Extra broadcasts: Shows like Direto do Paddock (Thursday 3 p.m., Motorsport.com YouTube), Q4 (Saturday post-quali), Pódio (Sunday post-race).
• Fan tips: Follow live updates via official apps, focus on sectors 1 and 3 for telemetry analysis.
• F2 expectations: Race 1 with reversed grid for top 8, favoring comebacks.

Evolution prospects for Sunday

Bortoleto wrapped the day with renewed confidence, despite off-tracks that cost precious seconds. The Sauber team will prioritize aerodynamic tweaks for FP3, aiming to close the gap to the top 10. In Baku, where poles rarely win – just two in eight editions – a solid quali opens doors for points via strategy.

The Brazilian, who climbed to 16th in the Championship after Monza, compares the Azerbaijani track to Silverstone for its flow but warns of the zero-margin error in blind corners. His long-stint performance, averaging 1:46, suggests endurance for the race, where quick pit stops could boost positions.

Meanwhile, the grid braces for a pivotal weekend: McLaren could seal the Constructors’ title with a 25-point lead. Bortoleto, focused on his car, sees opportunity in safety cars, which appear in 70% of races here. Overnight adjustments promise a sharper quali, with the São Paulo native eager to extract the max from the C44.

Baku’s track, blending fast and technical sectors, tests driver versatility. Bortoleto, on his second F1 visit to Azerbaijan, gains valuable experience, positioning for advances in Q1 and Q2. Qualifying will reveal if practice data translates to a competitive grid.