Gabriel Bortoleto believes his disqualification from the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix Sprint race impeded his chances heading into Qualifying.
Bortoleto has endured a difficult start to the race weekend at the Miami International Autodrome.
Despite taking the chequered flag with a solid 11th-placed finish, during the Sprint race, the Brazilian racing driver was handed a DSQ by the Stewards.
Bortoleto’s Audi was found non-compliant with the Technical Regulations – exceeded the permitted 4.8 barA pressure limit.
Audi decided to strip his rear axle completely to isolate the issue – leading to a delayed Q1 entry, and also the slowest overall lap time of the session.
But Bortoleto was bullish about his team’s work, calling it a “miracle” to be able to get back on track at all.
“I think that’s the truth and they rushed to put things in place and they did an incredible job by putting a gearbox back in place, the whole rear axle of the car in half an hour,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“It’s such a tough job and they did it, but you know, going back to the track, we had so many problems again, but they are understandable, you know.
“I think it was already a miracle to go to the track, but we try our best, we had problems, I had to stop the car on track and nothing I could do about it.”
Gabriel Bortoleto explains F1 Miami GP Qualifying mishap
The 21-year-old was forced to park up his Audi, too, after the rear brakes caught on fire.
Speaking about his predicament after the session, Bortoleto was categorical about the reasons for this fiery debacle.
“Guys, I think it has nothing to do with anything you guys are thinking about. Just take this out of your mind,” he insisted.
“We had a problem, we had to change the whole entire rear axle of the car and then when you do this in such a short period of time, you know, things can get out of place and easy that a little brake overheats and you have fire.
“So, that’s I think what happened. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. What can be worried about is what happened before Qualy, but not during Qualy.
“During Qualy it was just a consequence probably of what happened to put the cars out on track. I think that’s the only thing I know because I came straight from the track to talk to you guys and I will know more when I go back to the garage and talk to the engineers, mechanics and everyone and then maybe we can chat after.”
Looking forward to the race on Sunday, Bortoleto left his fate in the hands of the racing gods.
“We come straight from out there, I need to talk to the engineers, I have no clue,” he remarked.
“I don’t know, maybe it was just the brake that caught on fire, they need to change the brakes and everything is going to be fine for tomorrow. Maybe it’s a bigger problem.”
Audi team-mate Nico Hulkenberg was also forced to sit out of Q1, and therefore, the duo are slated to start the Grand Prix from the very back of the grid.
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