Kick Sauber
Bortoleto inherited an effective P9 on the grid after Gasly failed to start, but he just could not chase down Hadjar ahead for the final point. Finishing ninth is still an encouraging result for the rookie, especially considering Hulkenberg wound up way down the order. The Brazilian continued his strong form in Qualifying, making the top 10 yet again. He had no fresh tyres for Q3, but qualifying 10th is still a very handy result. Hulkenberg was further down the order after a messy session where his front wing was broken in the pit lane.
The German attempted to edge into the fast lane, only to collide with Stroll’s Aston Martin. The stewards had a look at the incident, and opted to give Kick Sauber a reprimand for the incident.
Nico Hulkenberg, Sprint: 18th, Qualifying: 14th, 1:41.707
“Qualifying didn’t quite go our way today – I was lacking a bit too much on the straights, and without a proper tow, we left a couple of tenths on the table, which made the difference in the end. On the positive side, the car felt much better today compared to Friday. We already made a step forward in the Sprint this morning, which gave me more confidence heading into qualifying. Sprint weekends are always a bit of a challenge – limited track time, and if you’re out early in SQ1, you miss out on valuable laps. We approached the Sprint more like an extended practice session: with the data we gathered we made solid progress and I found a better rhythm on this particular track layout. In terms of setup, we also factored in the possibility of rain tomorrow – probably like everyone else. Now let’s see what the race brings.”
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sprint: 9th, Qualifying: 10th, 1:42.387
“I am happy to have made it back into Q3! I think it’s safe to say sometimes you do need a little bit of luck in this sport, and today it was my turn: Hamilton’s lap got deleted, and that allowed me to make it into Q2. I hadn’t given my best in Q1 – I was honestly pretty frustrated about it – and I knew I had to reset and focus on improving in Q2, giving everything I had: I am glad it worked out. Looking back at this morning, it was a rather uneventful Sprint from my end, although it still allowed me to get some more track time. Sprint weekends can pose some extra challenges, but also a chance to learn something more, too. Overall, I am feeling more comfortable in the car every weekend: I would like to thank the team – both trackside and back home in Hinwil – for this. Looking at tomorrow – rain or dry – we’ll be ready and give it our best.”
Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal
“The day started with the 15-lap sprint, which turned out to be a largely uneventful race overall. Unfortunately for Nico, the race did not go the way we hoped, first struggling to balance the car and, secondly, due to a combination of being overtaken and then sitting in traffic. For Gabi, he once again executed a very mature drive, starting in P10 and finishing in P9.
“The team then regrouped for qualifying and what proved to be a dramatic session here in Spa. Gabi originally qualified in P16, just 0.024 seconds off progressing into Q2. However, Hamilton’s time was then deleted and Gabi found himself through to the second period of qualifying where he did a great lap, qualified P9, and put himself into Q3 for the second time this season. By Q3 we had run out of new tyres and, after two runs, he ended up qualifying in P10 for the race. It was great to see the garage busy throughout qualifying and Gabi’s P10 marked Sauber’s highest starting position at Spa in a decade.
“Nico, on the other hand, started off with damage in the pit lane following the incident with Stroll, which meant we had to change the nose of the car. Solid runs in Q1 got Nico into Q2 and ultimately a starting position of P14, just two tenths off getting into Q3. Sprint weekends are always a test of team endurance and once again we came together, enabling both cars to be in Q2 for the first time this season. The energy in the team is great going into Sunday and, with two good starting positions secured, we are ready for whatever surprises Spa might throw at us.”