Gabriel Bortoleto came to the defense of the main names on the Formula 1 grid, amidst debates about the current generation of cars in the category. The Brazilian stated that great talents continue to make a difference, regardless of changes in regulations.
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Discussions gained momentum again after the Belgian GP, where several drivers faced difficulties related to the use of electrical energy on the straights. Furthermore, recent regulations have started to demand a very different driving style compared to previous generations of cars.
Speaking to GPblog before the Hungarian GP, Bortoleto highlighted that motorsport has always demanded adaptability. For him, drivers cannot spend their entire career reproducing techniques learned in Karting.
“I think motorsport shouldn’t be about just one way of driving. It’s not because we learned something in Karting that we need to do the same thing for the rest of our lives. I think it’s important to be able to adapt to everything,” he stated.
The Brazilian driver acknowledged that this process is not always simple, but believes that overcoming difficulties is part of the essence of the sport: “There will be times when I will be frustrated for not being able to do something. But that’s also the fun part of motorsport,” he said.
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Asked if the fastest drivers remain the fastest, regardless of the rules, Bortoleto rejected the idea that the current generation of cars has altered the order of competitiveness. For him, the main names on the grid continue to deliver high-level performances.
“Do you see (Max) Verstappen being slow? Do you see a seven-time world champion (Lewis Hamilton) being slow this year? Do you see (Charles) Leclerc being slow? I don’t see them slow. I still see them very competitive. So, I wouldn’t say that the fast drivers became slow,” he added.
Bortoleto also cited specific examples to reinforce his argument: “Lewis is a bit better than he was last year. Max continues to deliver incredible performances, putting that car out front. Lando, the current world champion, remains fast when nothing breaks. I don’t think we saw slow drivers last year become fast and fast ones become slow. It’s still racing,” concluded the Brazilian.
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