Gabriel Bortoleto has promised to “fight as hard as I need to” in a bid to clinch the Formula 2 championship crown in Abu Dhabi.
While the Brazilian already has his F1 seat secure for 2025 with Sauber, rival Isack Hadjar is still waiting to learn his fate, with an opportunity with RB tied to the continuing situation at Red Bull with Sergio Perez.
However, a known future will not prevent Bortoleto from putting it all on the line when the lights go out at Yas Marina.
“I’m ready to fight as hard as I need to, there is no limit,” said the Invicta driver.
“Whatever game he wants to play, I’m ready to do that. I don’t care if I had my (F1) seat or not, the approach would have been the same.
“The fact that I’m already signed in F1 doesn’t change the fact that I am going to race less aggressive, more aggressive or whatever, and I am ready to have this fight.
“It’s going to be fun and enjoyable for sure this weekend. Obviously, it has been a long season so far and we have been playing fair to each other and I believe really that it is going to be the same this one.”
The title battle has so far been a clean one, with Bortoleto and Hadjar colliding only once – this in a clumsy startline incident in Australia when a fast-starting Pepe Marti drove into a narrowing gap between the pair.
After overturning Hadjar’s title lead prior to last week’s Qatar round, Bortoleto saw his recently established margin eroded to just half a point as he was outscored in both races.
Asked if the fine margin alters anything in his thinking or preparation, he added: “It doesn’t change anything. To be fighting for a championship at a high level, at least in my way of thinking, you cannot go up and down with your mental situation.
“You need to keep yourself always cool and on the same level in all the situations. Good or bad, you need to be able to behave the same and go over situations like that.
“Coming to the last round, it’s all about doing exactly the same thing over the season that has worked for me.
“I don’t want to create anything new, I don’t want to change some strategy or whatever because it makes no sense.”
