Antonelli’s success makes Bortoleto hungrier, not impatient

Gabriel Bortoleto says Kimi Antonelli’s approach to a first Formula 1 title has made him more eager to achieve his own goals, not impatient. A ninth-place finish would be enough for Antonelli to clinch the championship in Mexico, regardless of George Russell’s and Lewis Hamilton’s results.

Bortoleto said the two drivers are at different stages: Antonelli joined a team already fighting at the front, while Audi had finished last in the championship the year before Bortoleto joined it.

Bortoleto said Audi still has some problems, but has moved up year by year and now belongs among the leading group in the midfield. The team knows where it needs to improve, he added, and he hopes to fight for titles in the near future, ideally alongside Antonelli.

The two have known each other since they were very young, Bortoleto said. He recalled meeting Antonelli in Misano while racing in Formula 4; they rode multi-person bikes into town with friends and went karting for fun at a rental track in Misano.

Bortoleto said Antonelli had delivered a strong season and deserved to become world champion. Seeing someone he has known for so long succeed, he added, is wonderful.