Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto suffers 52G crash on final lap of São Paulo GP Sprint race
Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto crashed heavily on the final lap of the São Paulo Sprint race after losing control while attempting an overtake, registering a 52G impact.
November 8, 2025 - 12:03 PM ET • 2 min read
Brazilian Formula 1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto suffered a massive high-speed crash during the final lap of the São Paulo Grand Prix Sprint race at the Interlagos circuit on Saturday. The Sauber driver's car was destroyed following an impact measured at 52G, requiring immediate and extensive repair work ahead of Sunday's main event.
The incident occurred as Bortoleto, 21, was attempting an overtake on the main straight against Williams driver Alexander Albon. Bortoleto, utilizing the Drag Reduction System (DRS), lost control of his car after his rear right tire made contact with the white line on the track surface.
Traveling at high speed, and unable to close the DRS, Bortoleto's Sauber veered sharply to the left, colliding violently with the retaining wall. The force of the impact sent the car airborne and rebounding toward the first corner. Albon, whom Bortoleto was pursuing, narrowly avoided the wreckage by mere centimeters as the debris scattered across the track.
The Sprint race, which was won by Lando Norris, was marked by challenging conditions. The track surface was wet following heavy overnight rain, which had washed away the rubber laid down during Friday's practice sessions, contributing to several early incidents. Oscar Piastri, Nico Hulkenberg, and Franco Colapinto were among the drivers who spun off the track earlier in the competition between turns three and four.
The crash marked the second major frustration for the local driver during his debut weekend at the São Paulo GP. On Friday, Bortoleto failed to advance past the second stage of qualifying (Q2) for the Sprint race, forcing him to start 14th on the grid.
Despite being recognized within the paddock for his maturity, the young driver had previously admitted to experiencing significant anxiety regarding his first season in the premier category of motorsport, stating days before the event, "To be honest, I won't lie, I am very anxious." The Sauber team now faces a race against time to prepare the heavily damaged chassis for the Grand Prix scheduled for Sunday.