The street circuit in Singapore is bumpy, technical, and often scorching hot. Temperature conditions for the weekend are predicted to be gruelling, which is why the FIA – Formula 1’s governing body – issued a ‘heat hazard’ declaration. Though it’s a challenging weekend for drivers, Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto is confident he can rise to the occasion.
Following a pointless finish in Baku, Bortoleto speaks on his state of mind going into the Singapore weekend.
Gabriel Bortoleto outlines his expectations for the Singapore Grand Prix
The Brazilian driving Kick Sauber‘s C45 has had some highlights in the current season, including multiple top-ten qualifications as well as points finishes. This weekend, Bortoleto is aiming to produce another decent result for the Swiss outfit, pointing to his familiarity with humid climates as a potential advantage:
“I’m positive that we can do a good job here in these conditions. I feel like the Brazilian genes are going to help me a bit because in Brazil it’s quite humid as well, very warm, so maybe that can help me a bit.”
🌃 Gabriel Bortoleto faces his first race under the Marina Bay lights, ready for the challenge of both the circuit and the tough conditions:
“I’m positive that we can do a good job here in these conditions. I feel like the Brazilian genes are going to help me a bit because in… pic.twitter.com/Oi7VTMJhCc
— Inside Audi F1 (@InsideAudiF1) October 2, 2025
It’s also worth noting that Bortoleto is still in his rookie year, taking on Marina Bay in a Formula 1 car for the first time. The Brazilian explained: “Obviously when you’re driving an F1 car on a new track, you are probably a bit more tense […] than at a track you already know.”
As a rookie, the weekend poses both a challenge and a chance for Bortoleto to build on the progress he has already shown this season.
Bortoleto reflects on his season form and weekend preparations
Gabriel Bortoleto has consistently outperformed his teammate on qualifying pace this season in eleven out of the seventeen rounds. When asked to elaborate on the secret to his qualifying pace, he says:
“I mean, I think speed is something that’s since the beginning of the year has been good […] There’s no secret, it’s just working well with engineers, […] and understanding what you need as a driver from the car. I’ve found a good thing right now that I’m comfortable with the team and the car.”
Since Singapore is a tight street circuit, a strong qualifying is imperative, and Bortoleto’s ability to extract one-lap pace from the car could be the key to securing a top-ten grid start.
To achieve that he stressed the importance of having a “good setup and delivering a qualifying lap good enough” to advance through the sessions. After a difficult outing in Azerbaijan, a solid performance under the Singapore lights could be a positive turnaround for the Brazilian heading into the final stretch of the season.
