Gabriel Boltreto is “the best newcomer of this generation” after the Brazilian fought him and Max Verstappen on the way to a career-high sixth place at the Hungarian Grand Prix, according to Fernando Alonso.
Sauber took a clear step with the upgrade introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix, culminating in each of the final six rounds with team scoring points. All of Boltreto’s points have come in the last four races, and in Hungary he has joined fellow rookies Kimi Antoneri, Isaac Hajar and Liam Lawson to secure his top six finish this year.
“He’s the best newcomer of this generation,” Alonso, who serves as a part of the management team at Boltreto, told Spanish broadcaster Dazn. “If he’s in English or something like that and finished sixth in Sauber, he’ll be on the front page of every newspaper.”
On Sunday in Budapest, Boltreto spent his first stint between Alonso and Verstappen, beating Red Bull with the best finish ever.
“Two-time world champions, four-time world champions, I’m in the middle,” Boltreto said. “It’s amazing to see that I’ve already experienced this rookie season and compete with these guys. Honestly, I’m so happy. It was a great race and we did everything we could.
“(I’m) very satisfied. I think that’s the real outcome we can achieve, so I couldn’t be more satisfied. More than this, there’s luck and if someone crashes or something happens.
Sauber is one of the teams committed to a one-stop strategy early in Sunday’s race, and Bortoleto said it is an exhibition that both he and his team are proud of.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome. It’s the best so far and shows the great work we’re doing as a team,” he said. “We have taken the right steps in the right direction, and this is just the beginning of what we can achieve together.
“The race itself was very intense and mentally tough, and on 70 laps where I was forced to make one mistake, I gave everything I had and didn’t get the wrong wheels. We made the most of every opportunity, from my driving to my team’s strategy and execution.