Gabriel Bortoleto makes point-less George Russell comparison

Gabriel Bortoleto has compared his current situation at Stake F1 to George Russell's debut season at Williams. 

The reigning Formula 2 champion is last in the drivers' standings and is just one of four yet to score a point this season. 

Bortoleto does have the weakest car on the grid, although he has a multi-year deal for Audi's arrival next season when the new power unit regulations are introduced. 

It has been a difficult period of adjustment for the 20-year-old, who entered F1 this year having won F3 and F2 in back-to-back campaigns. 

"If I'm honest, it's not easy," Bortoleto told select media, including RacingNews365. "I come from [winning] two championships, I'm used to being in this [press conference] room, but actually after a race because I win or I'm on the podium. 

"And now for us, it's already a mega job if we're going to Q2 or fighting for Q3 but there is always going to be someone paying this price at the beginning."

Bortoleto: 'He's doing a great job'

Despite facing numerous challenges with Stake, the Brazilian driver has tried to see the positives from the opening four rounds of the season. 

Bortoleto is not the first F2 champion to be promoted into F1 with a weaker outfit, something Russell experienced when he joined Williams in 2019. 

As recognised by Bortoleto, Russell failed to score a point in his maiden campaign but has progressed to become a strong driver, giving him the belief the same can happen to him.

"If you see George Russell at the beginning of his Formula 1 career, I don't think he scored a point in his first season in F1 or something like this," Bortoleto pointed out. "And now. he's one of the best drivers on the grid and doing such a great job. 

"I wouldn't say fighting for the championship right now, but he's constantly on the podium or fighting for things, so it's all about having patience. There is nothing much I can do right now. 

"Just learn, try to grow as a driver in these tough moments and do a better job every race weekend. And, yeah, get better because I'm not fighting for points right now. That's the realistic situation."