Gabriel Bortoleto handed scathing criticism after 'miles out' F1 crash

Pierre Gasly has criticised Gabriel Bortoleto's actions at the start of the Las Vegas GP, believing such a mistake "should not happen at this level.'

Bortoleto was on the inside of Turn 1 on the hard tyres at the start of the race, but out-braked himself and rammed into the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll. 

In turn, Stroll clipped the Alpine of Gasly, who had done well to qualify in 10th place, and ahead of Nico Hulkenberg, who ultimately finished seventh after the McLarens were disqualified.

For his actions, Bortoleto received a five-place grid penalty for Qatar, to be served during the main race, and two penalty points on his superlicence.

Whilst defending the rookie F2 champion, Gasly felt the actions were not F1-level.

"For me, it was a big misjudgement. Gabi has had a very good season, but at this level, it should not happen," Gasly told media including RacingNews365.

"He didn't misjudge it by a couple of metres, he affected [Lance] Stroll's race, my race, and we never want to look at the outcomes, but in some ways, it has cost a couple of other guys points opportunities. 

"I don't think it was too harsh, because it wasn't just a small one, like situations where you slightly outbrake yourself, like Liam [Lawson] for example, but if you look at the speed he came at on the inside, if Stroll or no car is there, he is ending up miles away. It was way too optimistic.

"I know it wasn't intentional; it was one of those things. I don't know if he lost spatial awareness, as on the inside, you don't have marker boards, so I guess this is what happens.

"I've accepted that my fate this year isn't as good as I like because I was 11th in China, two Ferraris got knocked out, and then I got knocked out as well, which was a pretty easy two points.

"In Vegas, we would have challenged for 10th; whether we'd have been up there is questionable, but we'd have definitely been in the top 12.

"It was another missed opportunity for points, but it's racing, it is always going to happen, and it is just a shame because it could have brought some more excitement to my Saturday night."