He walks through F1.com like a man on a mission, his body language looking confident and his eyes laser focused, followed a few moments later by Hulkenberg, who shares some laughs with the Haas mechanics at seeing him in another race suit after two seasons with the team.
Making his way between the containers bound for next season’s first tests and races, and the international photographers still in town, Bortoleto soon disappears down a narrow hallway that takes him to the back of the Sauber garage and the car. that will drive.
ANALYSIS: Why Sauber chose Bortoleto and youth over Bottas and experience
Ten minutes later, Bortoleto slips into full concentration mode, donning a set of perfectly molded earplugs, pulling a fireproof balaclava over his head and donning a striking yellow, green and blue helmet, reminiscent of that of the great national hero Ayrton Senna. .
0900 – Getting to work
When the clock strikes nine and the green light at the end of the pit lane turns on, Bortoleto and the rest of the assistant drivers take to the track and begin to accumulate valuable mileage.
Bortoleto, the team’s dedicated “young driver” for the test (i.e. someone who has competed in two or fewer Grands Prix), has access to the same Pirelli tire compounds used during the Abu Dhabi race weekend: two sets of C3, four sets of C4 and two sets of C5.
This differs considerably from Hulkenberg’s programme, with the experienced German testing homologated versions of the Pirelli 2025 tyres, which include a new ultra-soft C6 compound to expand the manufacturer’s already comprehensive range.