The Formula 3 championship came to a close at Monza and with it, the category crowned a new champion.
Before Charles Leclerc took victory at the Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari, hometown hero Leonardo Fornaroli won the Formula 3 championship in dramatic fashion.
The 19-year-old divebombed Christian Mansell at Parabolica on the final lap of the Feature Race to take third place and beat Gabriele Mini to the title, who had been set to claim the crown before the overtake.
Just two days after becoming F3 champion, Fornaroli already had his future confirmed. The Italian announced that he would be driving for Invicta Racing in 2025 in Formula 2.
While there does not seem to be much in this besides a deserved promotion for Fornaroli to F2, multiple fans have theorised there is something bigger with this move.
On Invicta Racing’s announcement of Fornaroli on Instagram, Brazilian fans have flooded the comments section with the belief that Gabriel Bortoleto is set for Formula 1 next year.
Brazilian Formula 1 fans think Gabriel Bortoleto is on the way to Sauber
Bortoleto is currently racing for Invicta in F2 in 2024 and has had a fantastic season as he sits second in the standings. Fernando Alonso was left impressed by Bortoleto’s performance at Monza, as he went from last to win the Feature Race.
The 19-year-old Brazilian is being heavily linked with the vacant Sauber seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg for 2025. These rumours seem to have been confirmed, after Sauber team manager Mattia Binotto mentioned Bortoleto as a driver he is monitoring.
Following the news that Fornaroli will be joining his team in F2 next year, several of Bortoleto’s native Brazilians believe this means he is on the way to Sauber.
One user wrote in Portuguese: “Geez, is Bortoleto on his way out,” followed by the eyes emoji.
“Something very strong is coming…” another Brazilian fan theorised.
One user said: “Welcome to F1, Bortoleto!” while another echoed in Portuguese: “Now it’s right, Bortoleto in F1. Great day for our Brazil.”
One fan seemed to be very excited he wrote in all caps in Portuguese: “BORTOLETTO IN KICK SAUBER.”
While another Portuguese fan read between the lines and questioned if Bortoleto is bound for F1: “Oops 1 spot is vacated next year??? Is it a stake ???”
How realistically is this Gabriel Bortoleto theory?
The Brazilian fans’ theory that Bortoleto is set for Sauber may have some substance to it, especially given Binotto’s comments at Monza.
Sauber’s current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are both out of contract at the end of year having failed to score a point so far in 2024.
Bottas is supposedly the front runner to take the Sauber seat next year, however that does not seem to be nailed on. Bottas’ contract demands may open the door for Bortoleto, as Audi – who will take over from Sauber in 2026 – do not want to offer the Finn more than a one-year deal.
Bortoleto had been talking with Sauber at the Dutch Grand Prix, and with the latest revelation in F2, the Brazilian could very well be on his way to the F1 grid next year.
