Gabriel Bortoleto – Foto: Michael Potts F1 / Shutterstock.com
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber’s Brazilian driver, finished the second free practice session of the Singapore GP, held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Marina Bay, in 15th place with a time of 1min32s319. The night session, marked by 28ºC temperatures and 80% humidity, was led by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri with 1min30s714. Bortoleto struggled to adapt to the urban circuit but improved late with soft tires. The practice was disrupted by red flags due to crashes by George Russell and Liam Lawson.
Bortoleto started the session on medium tires, posting 1min33s796, the eighth-best initial time. After interruptions, he dropped to 19th but recovered to 15th with a final lap, 1.6s off the leader. The Brazilian, a rookie at the circuit, aims to improve in FP3 on Saturday at 6:30 AM Brasília time.
- Bortoleto’s first fast lap: 1min33s796 (medium tires, 8th place).
- Best final lap: 1min32s319 (soft tires, 15th place).
- Gap to leader: 1.605s behind Piastri.
- Total laps completed: 22.
The Singapore GP, the 18th round of the 2025 Formula 1 season, challenges drivers with its 19 corners and intense heat, demanding precision and physical endurance.
First session under the lights ✅#Singaporegp 🇸🇬 pic.twitter.com/MWzKfYjJTT
— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) October 3, 2025
Bortoleto’s initial performance
Bortoleto began FP2 with a mistake at Turn 14, hitting the escape area but avoiding damage. He soon set a competitive lap, staying within 1s of Piastri.
Sauber adjusted the car for low-speed corners, but the C45, better suited for straights, limited pace. The Brazilian focused on consistency, avoiding collisions.
Session disruptions impact flow
George Russell’s crash at Turn 16 triggered the first red flag at 18 minutes, halting the session for 12 minutes. Teams lost crucial setup time.
Liam Lawson caused another stoppage after crashing at Turn 17, losing a front tire. Bortoleto, then in 19th, stayed in the pits during part of the restart.
The red flags limited long-run simulations, key for race strategies on Sunday.
Adapting to Marina Bay circuit
Bortoleto, racing in Singapore for the first time, spent hours in the simulator to learn the 4.94-km track. Heat and humidity tested his physical preparation.
- Preparation: Wore hoodies in simulator to mimic heat.
- Challenge: Drivers lose up to 3 kg due to climate.
- Strategy: Focus on low-speed corner setups and tire management.
He reported issues with an Alpine blocking him on the main straight, affecting a fast lap. Still, he completed 22 laps without incidents.
Comparison with teammate
Nico Hülkenberg, Bortoleto’s Sauber teammate, finished FP2 in 14th with 1min32s164, just 0.155s ahead of the Brazilian.
Bortoleto outperformed Hülkenberg in recent sessions, like Azerbaijan, but Singapore demanded more adaptation. Sauber targets the top 10 in qualifying.
Both tested soft tires late, with Hülkenberg slightly faster in sector two.
Off-track incidents
A notable moment in FP2 was a pit-lane collision between Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. Leclerc, released at high speed, hit Norris’ McLaren rear.
The incident, under investigation, forced Norris to replace his car’s nose. Ferrari may face penalties for unsafe release.
Bortoleto avoided pit issues, focusing on fast laps and data collection for Saturday.
Weekend expectations
Bortoleto aims for a top-12 spot in qualifying, set for Saturday at 10 AM. Sauber plans C45 tweaks to boost low-speed corner performance.
- FP3: Saturday, 6:30 AM, focused on quali simulations.
- Race: Sunday, 9 AM, with two-stop strategy expected.
- Goal: Score points for the fifth time in 2025.
The Brazilian, 18th in the championship with 18 points, sees Singapore as a learning opportunity. McLaren, leading the constructors’ standings, is favored for Sunday’s race.
