Stake Boss Backs Bortoleto After Las Vegas Crash

Stake team principal Jonathan Wheatley has dismissed suggestions that Gabriel Bortoleto needs to "slow down" following the rookie's costly error at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Bortoleto, the reigning F2 champion, collided with Lance Stroll's Aston Martin after misjudging his braking point at Turn 1, leading to an early exit for both drivers.

Why it matters:

Bortoleto's second consecutive DNF raises questions about the rookie's race craft and his ability to adapt to the cut-throat environment of Formula 1. However, Wheatley's staunch defense of his driver underscores the team's commitment to nurturing young talent and maintaining confidence, even in the face of setbacks. This approach is critical for a team looking to build for the future and integrate new drivers effectively.

The details:

• Incident at Turn 1: Bortoleto locked up his tires and ran too deep into Turn 1 in Las Vegas, making contact with Lance Stroll. The incident immediately eliminated Stroll from the race, while Bortoleto retired on the second lap.
• Consecutive DNFs: This was Bortoleto's second straight race retirement following first-lap contact. Ironically, Stroll was involved in the incident that took Bortoleto out in Brazil.
• Wheatley's Stance: Jonathan Wheatley firmly rejected the idea of telling Bortoleto to slow down, stating that it's "not always a successful tactic" for racing drivers.
• Bortoleto's Humility: Wheatley praised Bortoleto's "real humility" for approaching and apologizing to Stroll after the race, highlighting it as a positive trait in the young driver.
  • Bortoleto himself admitted, "I misjudged the braking point, and five metres earlier, I would have probably stopped the car. I am sorry for Lance; it was my fault, and I don't have much to say."
• Learning Experience: Wheatley characterized the crash as another "learning exercise" in Bortoleto's debut season, emphasizing that such errors are part of a rookie's development.
• Qualifying Performance: Despite the race incident, Wheatley was impressed with Bortoleto's qualifying performance, noting that he kept the car off the walls and built pace carefully. He suggested Bortoleto should have easily progressed to Q2 if not for being overly cautious in Sector 1 on his final timed lap.

What's next:

With the next race just around the corner, Bortoleto will have an immediate opportunity to put the Las Vegas incident behind him. The team's continued support, combined with Bortoleto's own acknowledgment of the mistake, suggests a focused effort on learning and improvement. The emphasis will be on transforming these early-season challenges into valuable experience that can contribute to his long-term growth in F1.