Gabriel Bortoleto will line up on the F1 grid for the first time at the Australian Grand Prix. The Brazilian is one of six new full-time drivers – and he has a lot of hype around him.
The 20-year-old is coming to F1 after winning the F3 and F2 titles consecutively as a rookie. Bortoleto has likened himself to Charles Leclerc – the Monegasque driver. who along with George Russell and Oscar Piastri, also achieved this feat.
These three drivers have gone on to become multiple race winners in F1 – and Bortoleto is being backed as the next. He will race with Sauber in 2025 after signing a multi-year contract along with teammate Nico Hulkenberg.
The Brazilian is joining an exciting project as the team will become Audi in 2026 – the German manufacturer have been highly successful in other categories. However, Bortoleto’s F1 career is set for a slow start.
Sauber only managed to score four points in 2024 as they languished at the back. 2025 is not expected to bring much change as nobody could say ‘good words’ about Sauber’s car after pre-season testing in Bahrain.
But that has not stopped Bortoleto from wanting to establish himself in F1 as a top talent. Backed by manager Fernando Alonso, the 20-year-old has already made an impression.
Fernando Alonso says Gabriel Bortoleto’s professionalism has been the ‘most impressive thing’ ahead of Sauber debut
Alonso previously labelled Bortoleto as 2025’s best rookie – the two-time champion has high hopes for his protege after an impressive junior career.
He may not have the best car this season but the 20-year-old is certainly putting in the work behind the scenes to give him the best opportunity to perform in 2025.
Speaking ahead of the Australian Grand Prix via The Race, Alonso shared that the Brazilian’s ‘professionalism’ and his commitment to working hard has been the ‘most impressive thing’ about his preparations.
“His dedication and his professionalism towards racing has been probably the most impressive thing,” said the Spaniard.
READ MORE: Who is 2025 Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto? Everything you need to know
“Since day one he was very committed to work hard for his dreams and already in Formula Regional Europe but then in Formula 3 and then Formula 2, each race was very well prepared and a very mature approach.
“He deserves to be in Formula 1 and hopefully a long career here and successful.
“He has been the best rookie of this next generation. We see so many rookies into F1 this year and he has been the best of them.
“Maybe he hasn’t had the car at the moment to match their results the first year but hopefully people don’t forget what he did in the last two.”
Gabriel Bortoleto fires back at Helmut Marko’s ‘B driver’ comments
Heading into his F1 debut in Melbourne, Bortoleto will look to carry the momentum from his F2 title win. The Brazilian beat Isack Hadjar to the crown after a tense battle that went down to the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman will also make his F1 debut in Australia with Racing Bulls. Ahead of the race, Red Bull chief advisor Helmut Marko may have tried to get under Bortoleto’s skin.
In an interview with Servus TV, the Australian labelled Bortoleto as a ‘B driver’ when ranking the 2025 rookies on A, B or C’ levels. Marko doubted the Sauber driver’s ‘absolute final speed’ with his lack of wins in F3.
Bortoleto responded to the Red Bull chief’s marks by stating he does not care about his thoughts and hopes he can prove Marko wrong in 2025.
F1 fans loved Bortoleto’s response to Marko, praising him for his maturity on the matter. The Brazilian will look to do the talking on the track as his first F1 race is on the horizon.
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