It was a tense moment for both Fernando Alonso and Gabriel Bortoleto during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The young Brazilian overlooked his manager and almost collided with Alonso’s car. Fortunately for both parties, it was a near miss, and the Spaniard was able to avoid Bortoleto by moving off the track.
Oscar Piastri was also taken aback by the near-collision between Fernando Alonso and Gabriel Bortoleto. “It was Gabi (Bortoleto),” the Australian said in astonishment when he saw the incident in lap 26 of the race replayed in the cooldown room. “He might not have a flight home now.”
No Meal for Bortoleto
However, Alonso seems to have forgiven the rookie after the race. “I was surprised by it, and almost crashed. He just didn’t see me,” the Aston Martin driver explains. “I had to cut the corner. After that, I naturally gave back the position, because I didn’t want a penalty. We (Bortoleto and Alonso) are flying back together now. So, he might not get a meal on board,” jokes the two-time world champion.
Bortoleto confirms that he indeed overlooked the Spaniard. “I didn’t see him, and didn’t know he was driving there. I knew there was another driver behind me (Liam Lawson), and as soon as he overtook, I tried to take the corner wide and suddenly Fernando was there.” Alonso is not only a fellow driver but also Bortoleto’s manager. The Brazilian is part of A14 Management, the management company of the Spanish driver, and it was partly due to Alonso that he got his Sauber seat in Formula 1.
