Nico Hulkenberg pinpoints what’s surprised him about ‘very impressive’ Gabriel Bortoleto this season

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Many people expected Sauber to be at the bottom of the pile this season.

Sauber have spent the past few years slowly slipping down the constructors’ championship and finished last in 2024 with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu behind the wheels of their cars.

The Swiss-based team had to wait until the 23rd race weekend of the season to score their only points of the campaign through Zhou, but by then, both drivers’ fates had been sealed.

Nico Hulkenberg had been poached from Haas earlier in the year, with the F1 driver market about to go crazy following Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari.

Plenty of candidates were considered to join the experienced German, but Mattia Binotto eventually decided on McLaren junior and Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto to race alongside him.

Both drivers will be excited about the progress Audi are making behind the scenes ahead of F1’s new regulations coming into force in 2026.

F1 Oversteer understands Bortoleto and Hulkenberg will be Audi’s drivers next season after impressing throughout the beginning of the current campaign.

Hulkenberg already has 20 points this season and is threatening the top 10 of the drivers’ championship at this stage.

While his rookie teammate hasn’t scored his first Formula 1 point yet, Hulkenberg believes it’s only a ‘matter of time’.

READ MORE: Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg’s life outside F1 from wife to height

Nico Hulkenberg ‘very impressed’ with Gabriel Bortoleto during rookie Sauber F1 season

Hulkenberg was being interviewed by the official Formula 1 website and asked about his relationship with the young Brazilian.

He explained: “Obviously, [my experience has been] quite handy and helpful in many situations.

“I have to be sharp, because Gabi is really bringing the heat to the table.

“He’s a youngster, he’s a rookie, but he’s very impressive. The speed, how clinically he drives, his approach, his attitude, how hard he works.

“I know he hasn’t had a result yet, but really that’s just a matter of time, because he’s got it all. He’s very impressive and he’s definitely pushing me.”

Hulkenberg has been seriously impressed with Bortoleto’s approach and has been taken by surprise by just how quick the Brazilian has been during his first 10 F1 race weekends.

The Brazilian youngster has already outqualified Hulkenberg on several occasions, and was unlucky not to score his first points in Spain after a small strategy error saw him slip out of the top 10.

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto? Everything you need to know

Jonathan Wheatley delighted with Sauber’s progress after joining from Red Bull

Only a handful of teams work primarily outside of the United Kingdom, with Sauber isolated in Switzerland compared to their rivals.

This makes hiring key staff much more tricky, but securing Jonathan Wheatley from Red Bull has already proved to be a shrewd move.

Sauber’s pit stops have improved immediately, something Wheatley was credited for during his time at Red Bull, who coincidentally, have started to make unforced errors since his exit.

Wheatley believes Sauber finally have a racing car at their disposal after years of being in the wilderness.

Hulkenberg is extremely experienced, and that’s going to help Audi head in the right direction with their development ahead of 2026.

In Bortoleto, he now has a teammate who is going to push him to his limits, as the Brazilian has already shown how much potential he has.