Gabriel Bortoleto Criticized for 'Miles Out' F1 Crash in Las Vegas

Pierre Gasly has sharply criticized Gabriel Bortoleto's costly error at the start of the Las Vegas GP, asserting that such a significant misjudgment “should not happen at this level.” Bortoleto's lock-up into Turn 1 triggered a chain reaction that impacted Lance Stroll and Gasly, costing them potential points and highlighting the unforgiving nature of F1 racing.

Why it matters:

• Rookie mistakes in Formula 1 can have significant repercussions, not just for the driver at fault but also for innocent competitors. This incident underscores the extreme precision required at the pinnacle of motorsport.
• Gasly's comments highlight the high standards and zero-tolerance for major errors expected even from young talents, especially when championship points are on the line.

The details:

• The Incident: At the start of the Las Vegas GP, Gabriel Bortoleto, on hard tires, out-braked himself into Turn 1, colliding with Lance Stroll's Aston Martin. Stroll was then shunted into Pierre Gasly's Alpine.
• Impact on Gasly: Gasly, who had qualified P10, saw his race compromised by the incident, losing a strong points-scoring opportunity. He noted that had the McLarens not been disqualified, Nico Hulkenberg's P7 finish would have been P9, illustrating the tight competition for points.
• Penalties Issued: For his actions, Bortoleto received a five-place grid penalty for the main race in Qatar and two penalty points on his superlicence.
• Gasly's Reaction: While acknowledging Bortoleto's generally good season, Gasly emphasized the severity of the misjudgment. He stated, “He didn't misjudge it by a couple of meters... if you look at the speed he came at on the inside, if Stroll or no car is there, he is ending up miles away. It was way too optimistic.”
• Unintentional but Costly: Gasly conceded the mistake was unintentional, possibly due to a loss of spatial awareness without marker boards on the inside line, but stressed its significant impact on other drivers' races.

The big picture:

• This incident adds to a pattern of missed opportunities for Gasly this season, citing a similar situation in China where two Ferraris were eliminated, and he was subsequently knocked out of a potential points finish.
• The tight margins in F1 mean that even minor errors can have a magnified effect, impacting constructors' standings and individual driver ambitions.

What's next:

• Bortoleto will serve his grid penalty in Qatar, adding pressure to his next race performance as he continues to adapt to the demands of F1.
• For Gasly and Alpine, the focus will be on maximizing every opportunity, hoping to avoid further unfortunate race-ending incidents and capitalize on their potential pace.