Gabriel Bortoleto produced an impressive performance in qualifying for his F1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix.
The Brazilian is set to have a difficult first season in F1 with Sauber. The Hinwil-based outfit languished at the back in 2024 with four points all year and not much is expected to change this season.
Nobody had any ‘good words’ about Sauber’s car after pre-season testing in Bahrain. It has led many to believe Bortoleto will struggle in his rookie season – but Helmut Marko has questioned the driver rather than his machine.
The Red Bull chief advisor has been vocal during the off-season about F1’s new full-time drivers. As the Austrian called Liam Lawson an ‘A-class driver’, Marko labelled Bortoleto a ‘B-class driver’, casting doubt over his pace given his lack of wins in F3.
The F2 champion said he did not care about Marko’s comments and hoped he would prove him wrong. Bortoleto certainly did that in qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix.
Gabriel Borloleto fans mock Helmut Marko after he outqualified Liam Lawson for the Australian Grand Prix
In perhaps a surprise result, the Sauber driver managed to get his C45 into Q2 and will line up P15 for the race. Bortoleto knocked out fellow rookie Kimi Antonelli by nine thousandths of a second after the 18-year-old damaged the underbody of his Mercedes.
Lawson was the second big name to fall in Q1 as he could only manage 18th for the race. The Kiwi driver appeared to struggle with the rear of the car as he went off the track twice during the session.
Sergio Perez fans mocked Lawson for his early exit – unsurprising given the latter replaced the former at Red Bull. But Bortoleto outqualifying the 23-year-old led to several of his supporters flooding the team’s X account as the Brazilian silenced Marko’s criticism almost instantly.
Several fans mocked Marko’s grading of the rookies after the result in Melbourne. One fan wrote: “How is that B driver doing at Stake Helmut?” while another said sarcastically: “”What a stunning result for an A class driver.”
Another user added: “LMAOOOO your driver couldn’t get into Q2 but a “B-grade driver” could. embarrassing yourself as always, Helmut Marko?
READ MORE: Who is 2025 Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto? Everything you need to know
One fan was in hysterics as they said: “Hahahahahahaha what happened to @LiamLawson30 not that good, but what about @gabortoleto85 showing his mettle…!!! Hahahahaha @SChecoPerezwas the bad guy right????”
Finally, one user said: Bortoleto much better than washed lawson kkkkkkkkkk,” while another wrote in Portuguese: “Bortoleto P15 sends his regards to marko 18 slowson.”
Fernando Alonso shares what has been ‘most impressive’ about Gabriel Bortoleto’s preparations for F1
The Sauber driver’s performance in qualifying in Melbourne will spur him in good stead to put in a strong display not just in the race but across the season.
Manager Fernando Alonso thinks Bortoleto is 2025′ best rookie after his stunning junior career. The 20-year-old won F3 and F2 consecutively as a rookie – and he has carried that momentum into F1.
Qualifying in Australia was an indication of how strong Bortoleto can be even in a Sauber. His talent behind the wheel already could see him grab a surprise result or two in 2025.
Alonso says Bortoleto’s professionalism has been ‘most impressive’ about his preparations. The Brazilian has left his engineers happy after private testing – and they will definitely feel good about his display on Saturday in Melbourne.
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