Bortoleto Cleared After Major Brazil Sprint Crash

Gabriel Bortoleto has been medically cleared following a massive crash at the end of the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race, which necessitated precautionary checks. The incident occurred as Bortoleto attempted a pass on Alex Albon, leading to a high-speed impact. The Sauber driver confirmed he was uninjured, but the car sustained significant damage. This marks the second major incident for Sauber in the sprint, highlighting a challenging day for the team ahead of grand prix qualifying.

Why it matters:

• Bortoleto's clearance is a relief, emphasizing the safety standards in modern motorsport despite the severity of the crash.
• The incident, coupled with Nico Hulkenberg's earlier crash, puts significant pressure on the Sauber team for urgent repairs before qualifying, potentially impacting their performance in the main race.
• It also underscores the treacherous conditions during the sprint race, with damp patches playing a crucial role in multiple accidents.

The Details:

• The Incident: On the final lap of the Interlagos sprint, Bortoleto, vying for 10th position, attempted an aggressive dive past Alex Albon into Turn 1.
• Loss of Control: While changing direction, Bortoleto lost control on a damp section of the track, sending his Sauber nose-first into the inside barrier.
• Multiple Impacts: The car rebounded across the track, narrowly missing Albon, before a second, more violent impact on the outside barrier, flipping the car onto its side.
• Damage Assessment: Bortoleto's car came to rest with substantial damage in the run-off area of Turn 1, though he immediately reported being okay.
• Medical Clearance: Following precautionary checks at the medical center, Bortoleto was confirmed to be uninjured.
• Team's Tough Day: This crash followed an earlier incident involving teammate Nico Hulkenberg, who also crashed on lap six at Turn 3 after hitting a damp kerb.
  • Hulkenberg managed to rejoin but finished at the back, just ahead of Albon, whose car sustained damage from Bortoleto's detached front wing.
• Another Clearance: Franco Colapinto, another victim of the lap six Turn 3 crash, also underwent precautionary checks and was cleared.

What's next:

• Both Sauber and Alpine face a race against time to repair their damaged cars for the upcoming grand prix qualifying session.
• The incidents highlight the challenging conditions at Interlagos and the fine margins in F1, where a small patch of dampness can lead to significant consequences.
• Teams will be working overtime to ensure their cars are race-ready, with the pressure mounting to perform in qualifying and secure good grid positions for the main event.