Gabriel Bortoleto Clinches Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship with Sauber Move
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Abu Dhabi, Dec 8 (NationPress) Gabriel Bortoleto triumphed in the Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship during the last race of the season at the Yas Marina circuit, where he finished in second place behind AIX Racing’s Joshua Duerksen on Sunday.
The Brazilian, bound for Kick-Sauber, is now the first rookie since Oscar Piastri to win the Formula 3 and F2 Drivers’ titles in successive seasons, joining the ranks of distinguished drivers like Charles Leclerc and George Russell.
His title contender, Isack Hadjar, started next to Bortoleto in third place, trailing him by just 4.5 points in the standings, but his chances evaporated quickly as he stalled at the start, eliminating him from contention.
Bortoleto led the initial phase of the race but fell behind Duerksen and ART Grand Prix’s Victor Martins due to their effective pitstop strategy.
In the final laps, the Invicta Racing driver closed in on Martins to secure second position but couldn’t catch Duerksen, who crossed the finish line first.
Martins lost his podium spot on the last lap as Richard Verschoor from MP Motorsport capitalized on an alternative strategy. Starting on medium Pirelli tyres, Verschoor switched to supersofts after a late mandatory stop, gaining significant speed. He overtook Martins in the penultimate lap after the ART driver went wide at the final corner.
Verschoor managed to seize third place at Turn 1, rounding off the podium for the season. Alongside Bortoleto’s Drivers’ Championship win, Invicta also clinched the Teams’ title, achieving a complete sweep in 2024.
