Gabriel Bortoleto heads into the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend with renewed optimism. The Brazilian Sauber driver finished the previous race in Monza in eighth place, earning crucial championship points. This performance underscores the ongoing work of the Swiss team, which holds eighth in the Constructors’ Championship with 55 points.
The Baku circuit poses a unique test for Bortoleto, who raced there for the first time in 2024 in Formula 2. The street track combines narrow sectors and a long straight, demanding precision and strategy. The team logged extensive simulator hours to adapt the car to the track’s peculiarities.
Bortoleto emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency from free practice onward. He noted the car’s strong pace in Monza, with a sixth-place qualifying, and hopes to replicate that in Baku. The goal is to advance to Q3 and fight for points positions.
- Monza confirmed the quality of Sauber’s setup;
- Baku differs from traditional circuits with its tight corners;
- Simulator prep focuses on tire management;
- Main goal is to score points in consecutive races;
- Team fixed Monza’s hydraulic issues for Hulkenberg.
Bortoleto’s expectations for the weekend
The Brazilian expressed confidence in Sauber’s current package during the official GP preview. He raced in Baku last year with a lower-category car, making his F1 debut there a milestone. The track requires bold overtakes on the main straight, where speeds exceed 340 km/h, and precision in urban sections.
Bortoleto has 18 points in the championship after six solid recent races, with four points finishes. In Monza, he matched his season-best qualifying, showing car setup progress. The team prioritizes consistency to gain ground in the midfield.
Nico Hulkenberg, Bortoleto’s teammate, shares the optimism despite retiring in Monza due to a hydraulic failure. The German praised the car’s pace in practice and sees Baku as a chance for recovery. He stressed managing traffic in the narrow streets of the Azeri capital.
Sauber sits eighth, just seven points behind Aston Martin, increasing pressure for results. Bortoleto noted the team’s hard work to progress, focusing on nailing the setup from Friday. A tight midfield battle is expected.
Hear from Gabi after the #ItalianGP 🇮🇹🎤 pic.twitter.com/7rNstv2p0k
— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) September 7, 2025
Baku’s history in Formula 1
The Baku Circuit joined the calendar in 2016 as one of the most unpredictable tracks. Its mix of fast sectors and tight corners in the Old City creates incident-packed races with frequent overtakes. Sergio Pérez is the only two-time winner, taking victories in 2021 and 2023, leveraging the long DRS straight.
In 2024, Oscar Piastri won after a battle with Charles Leclerc, who secured pole for the fourth straight year in Baku. The track favors cars with balanced aerodynamics and traction out of corners. Incidents like crashes in the narrow sector are common, raising safety car chances.
For Sauber, Baku offers a chance to exploit rivals like Haas and Alpine. The team tested upgrades in the simulator to boost straight-line speed, vital on the main straight. Hulkenberg, experienced in street tracks like Monaco, sees potential for points if the setup is dialed in.
The 2025 GP marks the 17th race of the season, with live coverage on Band. Forecasted sunny conditions and 25°C temperatures favor Pirelli’s soft tires, compounds C3, C4, and C5.
- Sector 1: Long straight with frequent overtakes;
- Sector 2: Technical corners in the Old City, demanding precision;
- Sector 3: Fast sections for time recovery;
- Pole history: Leclerc dominates with four consecutive poles;
- Varied winners: Seven different victors in eight editions.
Sauber’s preparation for the challenge
Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber’s team principal, highlighted the morale boost from Monza’s points. The team investigated the hydraulic issue that sidelined Hulkenberg in Italy, ensuring fixes for Baku. The focus is on consistent midfield performance, where opportunities arise often.
Bortoleto praised the team spirit, noting extra factory hours to refine the car. Sauber introduced aerodynamic tweaks to improve stability in Baku’s low-speed corners. Hulkenberg, with 239 career starts, brings expertise to guide setup decisions.
The Swiss team, set to become Audi in 2026, uses 2025 to build a strong foundation. With 55 points, the goal is to overtake teams ahead, like Racing Bulls with 61. Wheatley stressed capitalizing on street track opportunities, where tire strategy decides positions.
Hulkenberg called Baku tricky, requiring precision in traffic management. He expects a strong weekend, with the car showing promising pace in simulations. The Bortoleto-Hulkenberg duo forms a balanced partnership, with the Brazilian learning from the German’s experience.
Strategies for scoring in Baku
Baku’s track allows three cars side-by-side into Turn 1, creating chaotic moments. Strategies involve multiple pit stops due to tire wear on the streets. Pirelli’s soft compounds suit the smooth asphalt but are sensitive to urban debris.
Bortoleto plans to focus on clean starts and defending on the straight. His 2024 F2 experience in Baku aids adaptation, where he handled frequent safety cars. Sauber simulates undercut scenarios to gain positions in the pit lane.
Hulkenberg aims to move past Monza and capitalize on DRS zones. The German has a strong street track record, scoring in Singapore and Monaco. The team prioritizes balancing straight-line speed and traction, adjusting suspension for high curbs.
Wheatley noted the tight midfield demands pure performance. With recent upgrades, Sauber hopes to challenge Williams and Aston Martin. The weekend starts Friday with practice at 5:30 AM and 9:00 AM, followed by qualifying Saturday at 9:00 AM.
- Tire management: Focus on conservation for long stints;
- Overtaking: Main straight as the key DRS zone;
- Risks: Crashes in tight corners require caution;
- Pit stops: Two-stop strategy common in Baku;
- Adaptation: Simulator crucial for rookies like Bortoleto.
Technical challenges on the street circuit
Baku pushes F1 cars to their limits with close walls and grip variations. Turns 7, 8, and 11 form the “Castle” section, a technical stretch that punishes mistakes. Sauber adjusted downforce to balance drag on the straight and grip in corners.
Bortoleto, racing in F1 there for the first time, uses 2024 data to predict behavior. The C45 car showed progress in Monza with strong qualifying pace. The team monitors vibrations from curbs, common in street tracks.
Hulkenberg emphasized precision, likening it to Monaco but with higher speeds. Monza’s hydraulic issue was resolved with extra factory tests. The duo aims for consistent practice runs to finalize the setup.
The 6.003 km track has 51 laps, with average race times around 1h30min. Past incidents, like Verstappen and Ocon’s 2018 crash, highlight unpredictability. Sauber aims to minimize risks to maximize points.
Sauber’s championship position
With 55 points, Sauber battles in the midfield of the 2025 season. Bortoleto contributes 18, while Hulkenberg adds the rest, including a Silverstone podium. The team surpassed its 2024 total in few races, thanks to upgrades.
Proximity to Aston Martin fuels motivation. Wheatley praised Bortoleto’s composure in Monza, where he managed traffic well. For Baku, the focus is on collective performance, with engineers optimizing telemetry data.
Hulkenberg sees 2025 as a building year for Audi. His experience helps Bortoleto develop quickly. Sauber plans more upgrades for upcoming races, aiming to climb the rankings.
The Azerbaijan GP kicks off the Asian leg of the calendar, with intense races ahead. Bortoleto represents hope for Brazil in F1, after years without a full-time driver. The team eyes a strong result to maintain momentum.
- Total points: 55, eighth in the Constructors’ Championship;
- Bortoleto’s contribution: 18 points in four recent races;
- Hulkenberg: Silverstone podium as a highlight;
- Close rivals: Racing Bulls with 61, Aston Martin with 62;
- Goal: Overtake at least one position by season’s end.
