F1: Gabriel Bortoleto outperforms Nico Hulkenberg in 13 F1 2025 qualifiers; Sauber boss downplays gap

Gabriel Bortoleto, a 20-year-old Brazilian Sauber driver, outperformed teammate Nico Hulkenberg in 13 of 20 Formula 1 2025 qualifying sessions, including the last eight races consecutively. Team principal Jonathan Wheatley stated the gap raises no concerns, attributing Bortoleto’s performance to his prior knowledge of tracks like Austria and Italy. The statement came in a recent interview, highlighting both drivers’ consistency in the championship.

Bortoleto’s qualifying win streak began after a balanced start and spanned events like the British and Azerbaijan GPs.

Hulkenberg, a 38-year-old veteran, holds 10th in the Drivers’ Championship with 37 points, eight more than the rookie.

• Bortoleto reached Q3 five times, showing quick adaptation to the C45 car.
• Hulkenberg secured his first career podium with third place at the British GP.
• Sauber has 55 points, ranking seventh in the Constructors’ Championship.

Behind every visor is a team that makes each race possible 💚 pic.twitter.com/yiBvZAPkcP

— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) September 25, 2025

Performance on familiar tracks

Bortoleto showed an edge on circuits where he raced in Formula 2, like the Red Bull Ring in Austria. He started eighth in the Austrian GP, his best grid position of the year.

Familiarity allowed cleaner laps, with competitive times in technical sectors. Wheatley noted these tracks favor the Brazilian, but expects balance on new circuits.

Head-to-head qualifying analysis

The numbers show a 13-7 score for Bortoleto in main qualifying and 2-1 in sprints. Hulkenberg led in the first five GPs but lost ground since Barcelona. The German made errors in final attempts, like hitting a barrier in Azerbaijan.

Bortoleto avoided incidents and optimized soft tire usage. The average gap is 0.029 seconds, indicating technical parity.

Hulkenberg’s team contributions

Hulkenberg brought stability with podiums and consistent points. His third place in Silverstone ended a 239-race podium drought. He shares data with Bortoleto, boosting car development.

Wheatley praised the collaboration, rare in veteran-rookie pairings. The German is 10 spots ahead in the championship, with 19 more points.

Bortoleto’s growth as a rookie

The Brazilian won consecutive F3 and F2 titles before F1. He scored points in Austria, Belgium, and Hungary. In Monza, he matched Sauber’s best quali with eighth place. Wheatley called his maturity “beyond his years,” especially after tough races.

Bortoleto handled a 15th in Zandvoort by analyzing reports without frustration. He has 18 points, with three top 10s in the last four races.

Team reactions to the streak

The team views the streak as temporary, with no crisis for Hulkenberg. Wheatley dismissed fundamental issues, citing the German’s speed. Both drivers focus on 2026 upgrades, with Audi’s transition looming.

The collaborative dynamic drives simulator testing. Bortoleto expressed confidence in unfamiliar tracks like Singapore.

Outlook for the season’s remainder

Sauber plans aerodynamic upgrades for Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi. Bortoleto aims for more Q3s, while Hulkenberg seeks race consistency. The team holds seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, surpassing 2024.

Wheatley backs the duo to compete in the midfield. Recent results include ninth in Belgium and 13th in Azerbaijan for Bortoleto.