Formula 1 star Gabriel Bortoleto finds himself in the midst of a dramatic incident, having had his passport stolen just days before the highly anticipated Canadian Grand Prix.
In a shocking turn of events prior to his arrival in Montreal, Bortoleto fell victim to a theft while dining in Zurich. Thieves brazenly broke into his car, making off with his backpack that contained vital belongings crucial for his racing career.
Bortoleto’s Shocking Discovery: A Robbery in Zurich
Amidst enjoying a meal in Switzerland, Bortoleto discovered that his backpack had been stolen, leaving him in **chaos**. “I was robbed. I had just finished dinner, and when I returned to my car, I realized someone had taken my backpack, which held my laptop, documents, and all my racing materials,” he shared with Brazilian Formula 1 broadcaster TV Bandsports. This tumultuous experience was not only nerve-wracking but also posed significant challenges as he prepared for the race weekend in Canada.
The Swift Action of Swiss Police
Fortunately, the **swift response** of Swiss authorities yielded positive results. The police quickly tracked down the thieves and managed to recover some of Bortoleto’s stolen possessions. However, the young racer still faced the hurdle of resolving his travel documentation issues before heading to Montreal. “Everything turned out well in the end. We recovered my passports, but not everything was retrieved. Thankfully, some essential items were recovered, including my racing equipment,” Bortoleto concluded.

Team Sauber’s Statement on the Incident
Sauber Racing also commented on the robbery, confirming to Brazilian media that “A backpack belonging to Gabriel Bortoleto, containing his passport, was stolen from his parked car. The bag and all belongings were quickly recovered, and Gabriel faced no issues traveling to Montreal for the race this weekend. While it was a nuisance, the situation has been resolved.”
As far as team performance goes, Sauber had a remarkable finish in the previous race at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Nico Hulkenberg made an impressive overtaking maneuver to clinch fifth place, earning a valuable 10 points.
The Challenge Ahead for Bortoleto
Despite his team’s recent success, Bortoleto has struggled to leave a mark in his debut season, failing to secure any points in Formula 1 thus far. During qualifying at the Canadian GP, he encountered difficulties again, failing to progress into Q2. This leaves him with the daunting task of battling through a competitive field to chase down his first points of the season in Montreal.
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In Conclusion
Despite the **setback** of the robbery, Gabriel Bortoleto remains focused and determined as he gears up for the Canadian Grand Prix. As fans await his performance, one thing is clear: the journey of this young racer is just beginning, and challenges only add to the excitement of his promising career.