Revealed - What Wheatley asked Zak Brown via SMS amid Bortoleto's impressive race in Austria

20:31, 30 Jun

Updated: 21:51, 30 Jun

Co-author:Tobia Elia

byHidde Korte

Gabriel Bortoleto scored his first Formula 1 points at the Austrian GP, finishing eighth just behind Fernando Alonso. During the race, Sauber's team principal Jonathan Wheatley sent a notable text message to Zak Brown, who was also caught up in the battle with McLaren.

Wheatley revealed to GPblog and others that he messaged McLaren's CEO Zak Brown asking him not to lap Bortoleto. At the time, Norris and Piastri were trailing the battling duo of Bortoleto and Alonso—who would have been shown blue flags.

‘’We were all looking back, wondering when we would be lapped. So I sent Zak a message during the race, saying they should not overtake us. But they did. That would have been the icing on the cake.’’

Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg

Bortoleto named driver of the day for the first time

Besides scoring points, Bortoleto was also named driver of the day. He expressed to GPblog among others his pride in this achievement: ‘’It's fantastic to become driver of the day. Moreover, these points are very important for the team and confidence.''

After eleven Grands Prix, the Brazilian driver finally scored his first career points in a historic day for Sauber, which celebrated a double points finish thanks also to an impressive ninth place by Nico Hulkenberg, who started from the back of the grid.