FIA Breaks Silence on F1 Driver’s Condition After T…read more
Sauber has confirmed that Gabriel Bortoleto escaped without serious injury after suffering a terrifying crash during the Sprint race of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. The incident occurred on the final lap as the young Brazilian driver was fighting with Williams’ Alex Albon for 10th place, in what had been an intense mid-field battle.
As the pair approached Turn 1 at high speed, Bortoleto lost control of his Sauber after a slight touch and slammed into the concrete wall at the pit entry section. The impact was enormous—recorded at over 91G—and sent debris scattering across the track. Albon narrowly avoided being collected by the stricken Sauber as it ricocheted off the wall and came to a stop near the pit lane barrier.
The race was immediately placed under yellow flags as marshals and medical teams rushed to the scene. Fortunately, Bortoleto was conscious and alert inside the cockpit. He was quickly extracted from the car and taken to the circuit’s medical centre for evaluation. Sauber later confirmed that after thorough medical checks, Bortoleto was released without major injuries. The team described the outcome as a huge relief considering the violence of the impact.
According to the team’s post-incident report, Bortoleto experienced a force of 91G during the crash—one of the most severe impacts recorded in recent Formula 1 memory. Despite that, medical examinations revealed no fractures or internal injuries. He did, however, undergo standard concussion tests, as per FIA safety regulations, before being cleared.
The Brazilian driver, who was competing in his first home Grand Prix weekend, is now facing a race against time to participate in qualifying for Sunday’s main event. Sauber engineers are working urgently to repair or replace the heavily damaged chassis, while Bortoleto is expected to undergo additional precautionary checks before being cleared to race.
Speaking after his release, team representatives praised both the FIA’s stringent safety standards and the robustness of the modern Formula 1 car design. They highlighted how the survival cell and impact structures performed exactly as intended, absorbing the bulk of the energy and keeping the driver safe.
Bortoleto’s crash brought an abrupt end to what had been an encouraging performance for the rookie. Before the accident, he had been running competitively in the midfield and showing strong pace against more experienced rivals. For local fans, it was an emotional moment, as the São Paulo-born driver had been looking to impress in front of his home crowd.
While the team expressed relief over his condition, they acknowledged that the priority remains ensuring Bortoleto’s full recovery before he returns to the car. Further updates regarding his participation in the rest of the Grand Prix weekend are expected following a final medical evaluation by the FIA.
