Gabriel Bortoleto involved in violent crash during Brazil sprint race
The Brazilian driver has been taken to the medical centre as a precaution
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Photo by: Michael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto escaped a brutal crash on the final lap of the Brazil Grand Prix sprint race during a move on Williams driver Alex Albon. It ended with a heavy impact at Turn 1 of the Interlagos track.
Chasing Albon into the Senna S as the Brazilian hoped to overtake the British-Thai driver ahead of the chequered flag, Bortoleto dived for an overtake but lost traction as his car's DRS closed and he struggled for traction on the damp asphalt off the racing line.
The car spun, hitting the inside of Turn 1 before ricocheting across the track to hit the outside wall. The violent shunt was strong enough to break the steering column and left debris from the Sauber across the circuit.
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Photo by: Michael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images
Some of this debris got stuck under Albon's car, crippling his race and forcing him down the order. While Albon wrestled to bring his machine across the line in 15th after being lucky not to be collected by the Sauber, Bortoleto's car sustained heavy damage.
The Brazilian climbed out of the car under his own power but was sent to the medical centre as a precaution. He has since been confirmed to be OK and uninjured. His car will have to undergo extensive repairs before qualifying for the grand prix later today, putting the team under major pressure. His place in qualifying is likely at risk because of this.
Bortoleto sits 19th in the drivers' standings with 19 points, just two behind Alpine's Pierre Gasly but 22 behind his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg.
Photos from Sao Paulo GP - Sprint Race
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Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
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Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
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Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
Sao Paulo GP - Saturday, in photos
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