Kick Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto admitted he was “glad I was fighting” the likes of Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen during the Hungarian Grand Prix, having secured his best result in Formula 1.<\/p>\n
The Brazilian put in an impressive performance at the Hungaroring on Sunday<\/a>, claiming sixth at the chequered flag which was his third time in the points in the last four races.<\/p>\n Bortoleto<\/a> ran between multiple world champions Alonso and Verstappen during the opening phase, having started seventh and ahead of the Red Bull driver on the grid while also surviving a possible investigation for a false start.<\/p>\n Despite being unable to find a way around Alonso, Bortoleto held off the second Aston Martin of Lance Stroll in the closing stages to earn sixth, as well as being voted Driver of the Day<\/a> by F1 fans.<\/p>\n “It’s difficult to beat him, he knows how to play the game and slowing down at the right time, pushing at the right time,” said Bortoleto of Alonso, who is also his manager.<\/p>\n “Also having Max [Verstappen] behind was not easy at the beginning of the race and keeping him behind me was super tough. Honestly [it] was a great race and I’m glad I was fighting with these guys at this moment of my career.”<\/p>\n Having had a difficult start to his maiden season in F1, Bortoleto has gone on an impressive run of form which has included points finishes in Austria, Belgium and now Hungary.<\/p>\n