Sauber's Bittersweet Italian GP: Bortoleto Shines, Hulkenberg Suffers Early Retirement

Sauber left Monza with a mix of triumph and disappointment after Gabriel Bortoleto continued his strong rookie campaign with another top-ten finish, while Nico Hulkenberg’s race ended before it even began. Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley navigated the delicate balance of praising one driver's success and consoling the other's misfortune.

The Big Picture: Mixed Fortunes at Monza

The Swiss outfit initially held high hopes for a double points finish at the Italian Grand Prix, with both cars demonstrating competitive pace throughout practice and qualifying sessions. However, these aspirations were dashed when Hulkenberg was instructed to pit during the formation lap, abruptly ending his race and leaving Bortoleto as Sauber’s sole contender for a points finish. Wheatley described the afternoon as bittersweet, acknowledging the challenge of celebrating one driver's success amidst another's early exit.

Bortoleto Delivers Under Pressure

Starting from seventh on the grid, Gabriel Bortoleto handled the high-speed demands of Monza with a mature and composed drive, ultimately securing an eighth-place finish. Despite slipping behind Lewis Hamilton early on, the Brazilian rookie successfully fended off more experienced rivals, bringing home valuable points for the team once again.

• Wheatley highly praised Bortoleto’s performance, stating, "Gabriel put a strong performance in all the way through the weekend and he just delivered a brilliant race today. I think he got everything he could out of the car.”
• Bortoleto's race involved strategic battles, benefiting from Fernando Alonso's retirement but ultimately unable to match the race pace of Alex Albon's Williams, who pulled seven seconds clear in their fight for P7.
• The team's strategy, including covering Liam Lawson and managing tire choices across Medium and Hard compounds, played a crucial role. Wheatley noted, "The Hard looked like a really good race tyre today. But then, again, I don’t think I can take away from the fact that Albon had serious pace.”

Hulkenberg's Frustrating Early Exit

Nico Hulkenberg's day at Monza was marked by sheer frustration. Lined up 12th on the grid, the German never got the opportunity to capitalize on Sauber's promising pace. Two-thirds into the formation lap, his race engineer's instruction to box prompted an incredulous "Oh man, you serious?" from the veteran driver over team radio before he pulled into the pits and retired.

• Wheatley later clarified the issue, explaining, “Everything was fine on the grid... And then we did a normal fire-up on the grid and noticed a hydraulic fault."
• Despite attempts to add hydraulic fluid, the team decided to retire the car for safety reasons, especially concerning a new Power Unit.
• Wheatley expressed deep regret for Hulkenberg, believing he was "capable of points today," which would have been significantly beneficial for Sauber in the Constructors' Championship standings.

What's Next: Looking Ahead

Sauber leaves Monza with fewer points than initially hoped, but the weekend underscored Gabriel Bortoleto's growing talent and the competitive pace of the C44 chassis. While Hulkenberg's misfortune was a blow, the team finds encouragement in Bortoleto's consistent performance and the car's potential for future rounds. The focus now shifts to maximizing opportunities and ensuring both drivers can contribute to the team's championship aspirations.