The 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix witnessed a turbulent start as Gabriel Bortoleto’s homecoming race ended in disaster following a collision with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll. The incident unfolded at Turn 10 when Bortoleto attempted a daring outside maneuver, only to be clipped by Stroll, sending his Sauber into the barriers and out of the race before completing the first lap.
Franco Colapinto, who had a clear view of the chaos, sharply criticized Stroll’s defensive tactics, accusing the Canadian of reckless driving and failing to use his mirrors properly. Colapinto expressed frustration, claiming that Stroll has a history of forcing rivals off the track, remarking that such behavior has become “a pattern” for the Aston Martin driver.
Despite the uproar, Bortoleto refused to fuel the controversy. The Brazilian rookie maintained composure in post-race comments, describing the crash as a “racing incident.” He acknowledged that while Stroll’s move left him with minimal space, he did not believe the collision was intentional. Bortoleto’s restraint reflected maturity, even as his hopes for a memorable home performance were shattered prematurely.
Bortoleto had shown promise early in the race, overtaking both Lewis Hamilton and Colapinto before the unfortunate clash. He had been confident in his Sauber’s pace, especially with a tire advantage, and believed he could have secured valuable points in front of his home crowd. The accident, however, continued a string of misfortunes that marred his Brazilian weekend after a sprint race crash just a day earlier.
As the dust settled, attention turned to the growing debate surrounding driver accountability and racecraft standards in Formula 1. Stroll’s reputation for aggressive defending came under renewed scrutiny, while Bortoleto’s calm reaction earned him respect among peers and fans alike. For the young Brazilian, the weekend may have ended in heartbreak, but it reinforced his resilience and potential to rise stronger in the remaining rounds of the season.
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