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Aston Martin driver – in his twenty second System 1 marketing campaign – continues to be encountering a brand new expertise. It’s not simply the six rookie racers on the 2025 grid. In ’s , he’s racing his personal official protege.
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Since 2023, Bortoleto has been part of Alonso’s A14 driver administration secure.
That is run by Albert Resclosa Coll and Alberto Fernandez Albilares together with the double F1 world champion, however in placing Bortoleto on the F1 grid, A14 has certainly one of its purchasers really racing towards its founder on the grandest stage in motorsport.
Within the fashionable motorsport age, that’s a novel state of affairs. Subsequently, Motorsport.com requested Alonso and Bortoleto to elucidate precisely the way it will work if their respective inexperienced machines ever come shut on observe in 2025.
“I feel there are clear guidelines that I keep in entrance! That’s my understanding!” Alonso initially joked eventually weekend’s Chinese language Grand Prix. “No, jokes apart, it’s nice to see Gabriel’s profession to this point. For us at A14, we really feel extraordinarily happy with the connection.
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“This yr goes to be the primary yr he’s not successful [after Bortoleto won the 2023 Formula 3 and 2024 Formula 2 championships as a rookie in each category], so now we have to perhaps settle for that.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingSam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
“However it’s a part of his studying curve. For me, it’s a bit totally different. All the recommendation and insights I’ve given him over the previous two years – it’s a bit unusual now. As a result of I’m giving him the identical, attempting to assist him as a lot as I can with expertise of circuits, preparation, the way to strategy race weekends, advertising and marketing actions, the way in which to spend power, save power – all these sorts of issues [now in F1 with me].
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“I don’t assume that is affecting any of the efficiency. On the finish of the day, we rely lots on our groups, our vehicles, and our packages.
“I don’t really feel like I’m gifting away one thing magic and somebody will profit. I’m simply attempting to use frequent sense and assist him carry out when he places the helmet on, which is crucial a part of System 1. I feel it’s working high-quality and can proceed to take action.”
Forward of the Australian GP season opener, Bortoleto sought out his supervisor’s recommendation on coping with his first expertise of wet-weather F1 competitors. He additionally mentioned tyre technique with Purple Bull’s on the drivers’ parade in Melbourne.
However a easy concentrate on driving inside the rising dry ‘tram traces’ was what Alonso emphasised. In the long run, each drivers crashed out, with Bortoleto joking, “He informed me, “simply survive” after which each of us died!”
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photos
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos
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“Concerning the principles, I’ve in my contract that I would like to offer him a slipstream each time I see him in quali!” the Brazilian additionally quipped within the Shanghai pre-event press convention, the place Alonso was fast to level how lengthy the again straight is on the Chinese language venue.
“He’s been excellent. He’s been in a position to train me a variety of this stuff – the way to maximise my efficiency on observe by managing my efforts exterior of it. Issues like the way to deal with the [early GP weekend] days right here, Thursdays and Fridays, to be centered on what actually issues throughout the weekend. It’s been very good to this point.
“In Australia, we didn’t actually get to struggle one another correctly, however hopefully, in China, we are able to have some side-by-side battles. That will be good for me.
“I’ve watched him my complete life racing, and now racing towards him in System 1, with him additionally being my supervisor, it’s going to be very good. A great alternative.”
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Finally, that hope didn’t come to cross in Shanghai, with Alonso effectively forward within the dash (though 13s behind within the different AMR24) earlier than Bortoleto spun off early within the GP.
Alonso retired from that contest after simply 4 laps as a result of particles getting caught in his Aston’s braking system.
Motorsport.com noticed the pair deep in commiserating dialog on one of many walkways over the large pond that homes lots of the workforce hospitality buildings within the enormous Shanghai paddock. It has not been the beginning both needed to the 2025 marketing campaign.
And the await the enjoyable stuff – a racing chapter on this distinctive relationship – for now goes on too…
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