Brazilian driver led end-to-end the main race in Australia

For the first time in its history the FIA F3 landed in Melbourne – Australia for their annual championship disputes. Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, winner in the first round of the year at Bahrain, returned to show his strength and, in addition to pole-position, won the main race of the round, which was held on Sunday.

Bortoleto’s weekend schedule began on Friday with the only free practice session. Novelty for drivers and teams the difficult layout of the Albert Park Circuit did not forgive mistakes and, from the first activities, was the scene of some accidents and several lane exits of different drivers. Gabriel, who came to Oceania leading the Championship classification, knew the importance of this round and, with it, prepared a lot with the Trident Motorsport team.

Representing KTF Sports’ Brazilian driver academy and Americanet sponsorship, the 18-year-old has shown a lot of consistency since the free practice session, which he finished in fifth place. In the time frame, which defined the starting grid for the main race, Bortoleto was simply perfect and, with a time of 1m33s025 secured pole-position. This result also, according to the Championship rule, earned the driver the 12th position of the starting grid for the “Sprint Race” – the first race that was held on Saturday morning.

Very excited and, especially aware of the treacherous challenges of the Australian track, Gabriel lined up his car in the sixth row of the Sprint Race starting grid. After a good start the Brazilian managed to gain a position and, in an extremely mature way, sought to stay on the track away from the various accidents that marked the race. Quiet and taking every opportunity the Brazilian won no less than six positions and concluded the race in sixth place, adding important six points for the Championship.

HISTORIC VICTORY CAME ON SUNDAY

Excited by the recovery in Saturday’s race Bortoleto lined up his car in pole position for the main race of the weekend. In front of a grid with 30 competitors the Brazilian made a perfect start and secured himself in the first position, much pressured by opponents who came just behind. Like what was seen in the race the day before the race was marked by accidents and the safety car entries. Flying in an extremely safe and, above all, conscious way, the pilot from São Paulo was surgical in defending his position. With a car that had better performance in the mixed part of the circuit he defended himself during the 23 laps of the attacks that Gregory Saucy, at all times in the opening zone of DRS, approached very much on the straights. The Brazilian car #5 showed, above all, experience and a lot of tranquility to keep the entire race under pressure and won the second consecutive race in the season.

“I am very happy with the result we achieved today. Saucy coming right behind us was pretty fast, but our equipment was perfect. My communication with the team was also very good during the two races when they were guiding me from all the tangles that appeared. I was happy because, with the results, I managed to open exactly 20 points in the championship leaderboard and we go even stronger and more confident for Imola, our third round of the year and a track that I love”, concluded the 18-year-old.

Pictures: James Gasperotti – Disclosure

Press office of Gabriel Bortoleto
Responsible journalist: Flávio Quick