Gabriel Bortoleto Tops Unwanted F1 'Destructors' Championship After Brazilian GP Crashes

A chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix weekend saw Gabriel Bortoleto unfortunately top the F1 'destructors' championship' after multiple incidents, including a major sprint race crash. His significant damage expenses now place him above Yuki Tsunoda for the most money destroyed in F1 crashes this season.

Why it matters:

High repair costs from crashes directly impact team budgets, especially for midfield and smaller teams, potentially affecting development resources for future performance. For drivers, topping this 'unwanted' list can draw scrutiny, highlighting the fine line between aggressive driving and costly mistakes in the high-stakes world of Formula 1.

The details:

• Sprint Race Shunt: Bortoleto's Sauber sustained major damage in a seismic shunt into the opening corner during the sprint race at Interlagos.
• Grand Prix Incident: He was also involved in a crash on the opening lap of Sunday's main Grand Prix, further adding to his weekend's repair bill.
• Total Expenses: These incidents propelled his total weekend expenses to over €2 million, pushing him to the top of the 'destructors' list.
• Previous Leader Overthrown: Bortoleto now sits above Yuki Tsunoda, who previously held the top spot. Tsunoda incurred a damaged front wing in São Paulo, bringing his season total to €2.9 million.
• Lando Norris in Top 3: Championship leader Lando Norris is surprisingly third on the list, largely due to significant crashes in Saudi Arabia and Canada.
• Jack Doohan's Impact: Jack Doohan, despite only participating in the first six rounds, is also in the top 10, primarily due to a major collision in Japan.
• Max Verstappen at the Bottom: In stark contrast, Max Verstappen has incurred the least amount of damage this year, costing Red Bull only €200,000 for minor incidents in Miami, Austria, and Brazil.

The big picture:

While a 'destructors' championship' isn't officially recognized, it serves as an interesting, albeit informal, metric for driver incidents and their financial implications. It underscores the financial pressures teams face, where even minor errors can lead to substantial costs. For newer drivers like Bortoleto, such an early-season record can add pressure, though it's often a part of the learning curve in F1.

What's next:

Teams will undoubtedly be meticulously tracking these costs as the season progresses, factoring them into budget caps and future car development. For Bortoleto, minimizing further incidents will be key to shedding this unwanted label and focusing solely on on-track performance, especially as he continues to adapt to the demands of Formula 1.