Gabriel Bortoleto on his street to F1 and the champions who helped him get there

Method 1 drivers are inclined to look ahead, with a laser give attention to what they will do higher to cement the place on the grid they’ve labored in the direction of for therefore lengthy.

An appreciation for what they’ve already achieved usually comes later, generally solely after their careers have ended. Gabriel Bortoleto is an excellent exception. Aged 20, his youth shines by way of however is paired with considerate perception and observations that bely his tender age.

There definitely is lots to mirror on, as it’s onerous to overstate simply how a lot Bortoleto’s life has modified over the previous two years. Simply 24 months in the past, the Brazilian was but to win a single-seater title, whereas on his method to break his duck within the 2023 FIA F3 championship.

That success at Monza helped rework the previous McLaren junior’s profession, making an equally profitable step as much as F2 – which he received on the first time of asking final yr – and made him a beautiful sufficient proposition for Sauber to pry him free from the papaya group.

Bortoleto, together with F2 title rival Isack Hadjar, flew considerably below the radar amid F1 2025’s outsized rookie class, with plenty of eyeballs on Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes alternative Andrea Kimi Antonelli and excellent Ferrari cameo driver Oliver Bearman.

Hadjar quickly drew plaudits along with his rapid kind, and Bortoleto has now additionally had the chance to show himself with a a lot improved Sauber. However whereas he has set his sights on a lot loftier targets than sixth on the Hungarian Grand Prix, he has not forgotten how lucky he’s to be right here.

“I’m a contented man, grateful for what I’m experiencing and the alternatives I’ve had,” Bortoleto informed Motorsport.com.

“I’ve a number of associates who’re absolutely able to deserving an opportunity in Method 1, gifted guys who would do something to be within the place I’m in at the moment, and that’s one thing I usually take into consideration. It drives me to work onerous, to provide my all in every thing I do to profit from the chance I’ve been given.”

“The one factor to do was to roll up my sleeves”

Aged 12, Bortoleto traded his native Brazil for Desenzano sul Garda in Italy, the place he loved a profitable karting profession earlier than shifting in the direction of single-seaters. But it surely was a journey not with out obstacles.

“There have been troublesome moments,” he stated. “In 2022 (the yr Bortoleto competed in his second season in Method Regional), I had a number of issues with the engines, however these are points that aren’t made public.

“On that event, I realised that the one factor to do was to roll up my sleeves and attempt to make up floor the place doable. There was no level in making excuses, and at the moment, wanting again, I realise that that state of affairs made me a stronger driver and a stronger individual. I put all my power into the facets I might enhance, I needed to achieve tenths the place doable, and I believe I grew. I had affirmation of this when the technical issues had been resolved.

“As soon as every thing was sorted out, I began successful, and the tip of the season was superb. However a very powerful affirmation got here throughout my first ever take a look at on the wheel of a Method 3 single-seater. I went to Jerez with the Trident group. I had by no means pushed a automobile with that sort of energy earlier than, and I discovered myself within the lead with a half-second benefit over my closest rival. 

“Every part got here naturally, from the sensation with the automobile to the connection with the engineers, and that day I realised that I might do very properly, which is what occurred the next season after I received the title.”

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures

The yr 2022 was additionally a key turning level off-track, with the arrival of two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso and his A14 administration group.

“Fernando got here on board in mid-2022 and it was a vital step, an important added worth. In 2023, I arrived in Method 3 and raced in Method 1 weekends for the primary time. Once I entered the circuit for the primary time, I realised that I might be racing below the eyes of all the key Method 1 groups, so I requested Fernando for plenty of recommendation on learn how to handle the race weekend, the stress, the expectations, and lots of different issues.

“One may assume that somebody as busy as Alonso would not have time, however I can affirm that he all the time discovered it, maybe sacrificing his breaks, and I discover his willingness to assist very admirable and, after all, an important added worth.”

On the finish of the day, there isn’t a substitute for successful to hurry up a profession trajectory. All of the sudden, Bortoleto grew to become one of many younger drivers F1 groups had been beginning to discover, together with one of many sport’s juggernauts.

“After getting off to an important begin in 2023, successful the primary two function races, at some point I acquired a cellphone name from Emanuele Pirro,” stated Bortoleto. “I had labored in F4 along with his son Goffredo, who was my engineer, however I had by no means had the chance to fulfill Emanuele and I used to be not even conscious of the position he had at McLaren on the time, as head of the younger driver programme.

“I keep in mind the cellphone name properly and I used to be actually shocked. Emanuele proved to be an important individual. It took some time to organize the contract, however ultimately, I used to be the primary driver to formally be part of the programme.”

Gabriel Bortoleto, Andrea Stella, McLaren, Emanuele Pirro, Director, McLaren Driver Growth programme

Photograph by: McLaren

Along with his fast rise to the highest of F2, Bortoleto even caught McLaren off guard. On the finish of 2024, it out of the blue had the brand new F2 champion in its ranks with out having the ability to assure him a future within the quick and even medium time period.

“McLaren has all the time been very clear with me, they made it clear that they might not be an impediment if I had a possibility to race in F1,” revealed Bortoleto.

“After my victory in F2, they did not have a seat out there, Oscar [Piastri] and Lando [Norris] are younger, very sturdy and have long-term contracts. So once they heard about this chance at Sauber, they saved their phrase and launched me.”

“Once I noticed Nico raise the trophy, I stated to myself, ‘Okay, I need to be there too’”

Bortoleto has a shrewd signing from Sauber boss Mattia Binotto, who’s paving the way in which for Audi’s official arrival in 2026. Identical to the squad is getting ready that transformation behind the scenes, Bortoleto is afforded a yr of adaptation in 2025, with decrease stress and muted expectations, earlier than being anticipated to fireside on all cylinders within the information laws period.

In idea it is the best state of affairs for a rookie, which Mercedes additionally utilized with Antonelli. However a sluggish begin to the 2025 season made it troublesome for Bortoleto to construct any form of momentum, as Sauber was lengthy chasing its first factors of the season with a difficult automobile.

“The beginning of the championship was not simple,” he stated. “Inside the group, my contribution has all the time been judged positively, however coming from two championship wins, discovering myself preventing on the backside of the standings was mentally troublesome to just accept. Ambition is all the time troublesome to manage, however then, race after race, the state of affairs improved lots and I discovered myself within the high 10, which was an important feeling.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Photograph by: Andy Hone/ LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures

“In comparison with the beginning of the season, we have made an enormous leap ahead. There have been instances once we had been behind the grid, however now the state of affairs has undoubtedly improved. Perhaps it will not be doable to goal for factors at each observe, however I believe we’ll be in rivalry at most of them.”

A primary string of constructive outcomes for Sauber additionally introduced out Bortoleto’s persona, as he was one of many largest cheerleaders for team-mate Nico Hulkenberg’s long-awaited maiden F1 podium on the British Grand Prix. It is secure to say the pair struck up a harmonious working relationship regardless of their 17-year age hole.

“Nico is a superb individual and an important driver. When he crossed the end line in third place at Silverstone, it was very emotional,” Bortoleto defined.

“He’s serving to me lots. I’ve discovered and proceed to study lots from him, and when you could have a great relationship with somebody, I believe it comes naturally to share a few of their pleasure, so it felt pure to go below the rostrum to have fun with him.

“He had an important race, made the correct selections, and achieved a well-deserved end result, and I needed to be there at that second to have fun him. Once I noticed Nico raise the trophy, I stated to myself, ‘Okay, I am going to give it my all, I need to be there too’. That picture motivated me.”

“Max Verstappen has helped me lots in my first F3 season. We meet on-line, we play and focus on a little bit of every thing”

The character-building 2022 marketing campaign helped form Bortoleto’s character. Out of all of the 2025 rookies, he arrived firstly with the fewest kilometers of testing below his belt, by far, but it surely’s by no means one thing he’ll convey up voluntarily as an excuse.

Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Photograph by: Simon Galloway / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures

However he does reveal the actual extent of his early handicap once we ask about it. “On the eve of this season, I drove half a day with McLaren in a take a look at they gave me after the victory at Monza and within the post-season exams at Yas Marina after I was already a Sauber driver,” he stated.

“Then this yr, the variety of TPC [testing of a previous car] kilometres was restricted. I did a take a look at, but it surely was raining that day. As an instance that total, I began the season with two days of testing. If I had had extra kilometres below my belt, I might have been extra ready, however in my case, it was the identical in F2 and F3. In the long run, there are not any excuses; it’s important to do the most effective with what you could have out there.”

Followers additionally found his friendship with one other a number of world champion: Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen. After they meet within the paddock, there may be all the time time for a hug and a chat. In the course of the drivers’ parade on Sunday, the 2 are sometimes collectively and there’s no scarcity of banter between the pair.

“A friendship was born due to our shared ardour for digital racing and simulators,” stated Bortoleto. “We began in early 2023, I used to be in my first F3 season and Max helped me lots with the simulator, suggesting what to attempt, adjustments to make and so forth. We meet on-line, him at his home, me at mine, we play, we focus on a little bit of every thing.”

One other distinctive side of Bortoleto’s method is the restricted entourage he brings to race weekends. Often, he’s simply accompanied by his efficiency coach and supervisor. The remainder of his internal circle solely not often makes an look.

“My dad and mom would love to observe me to the races, however they’re very busy in Brazil,” he stated. “My father manages the Inventory Automotive championship and has lots to do. Rubens (Barrichello), Felipe (Massa), and lots of different drivers race within the sequence.

Rubens Barrichello

Photograph by: Motorsport Pictures

“My father has all the time been an enormous fan, however when he was younger he did not have a lot cash, so he began from scratch. When the grand prix was held at Interlagos, he helped VIPs get out of helicopters and accompanied them to the paddock entrance.

“It was a approach for him to be on the race observe, since he could not afford a grandstand ticket. He handed on his ardour to me, and we took our first steps in karting. We had a dream that appeared unattainable, however now his son races in Method 1, and I hope he can come to the observe for the primary time quickly.”

Following the instance of Verstappen and lots of different friends, Bortoleto has stated goodbye to Milan (leaving his residence to Ferrari junior and F3 champion Rafael Camara) to make the transfer to Monaco. Not that he has spent a lot time in his residence but.

“Sadly, I haven’t got a lot free time,” revealed Bortoleto. “Along with touring for race weekends, I wish to spend time with the group at their headquarters in Hinwil. I believe it is vital, particularly whenever you’re a rookie and have lots to study and facets to familiarise your self with.”

In the meantime, Bortoleto can also be enjoying his half as Hinwil integrates Audi into the fold and transitions to being a works outfit as soon as once more, 16 years on from the BMW period that yielded its solely win.

“It is troublesome, if not not possible, to make predictions,” he shrugged. “We can’t know the place we’ll be till we begin racing on the observe, however we’ve to be able to struggle for podiums or factors.”

The street forward is lengthy for each Bortoleto and Sauber/Audi, and the 20-year previous is not taking his presence on the extremely unique beginning grid with no consideration. However after being the least hyped rookie of the category of 2025, claiming three factors finishes in 4 races means his F1 profession is now absolutely up and operating.