Gabriel Bortoleto’s rise to Formula 1 has been fueled by his impressive performances in the lower categories, particularly in Formula 2.
A Brazilian driver managed by two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso, Bortoleto has earned significant attention for his talent and rapid progression, drawing comparisons to other breakout drivers like Oscar Piastri. Winning the 2023 Formula 3 title early in his rookie season, Bortoleto continued his momentum in Formula 2 in 2024, competing near the top of the standings and marking himself as a promising young talent.
Let’s take a quick look at his Motorsport career thus far…
Bortoleto gained attention in karting with notable achievements, including wins in major karting championships in Brazil and Europe, setting the stage for his move into single-seater racing. His career in open-wheel racing began in earnest in 2021 when he entered the Formula 4 UAE Championship, where he secured a race win and multiple podiums. Bortoleto then moved to the competitive Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) with Prema Racing in 2022. Although his results in FRECA did not immediately position him as a title contender, he demonstrated a solid learning curve, accumulating valuable experience and skills. Bortoleto’s breakthrough came in 2023 when he entered the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Trident Racing.
Despite being a rookie, he showcased exceptional consistency and adaptability, winning two races, including one at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, and frequently finishing on the podium. These performances enabled him to secure the F3 championship title with two races to spare—a rare feat for a rookie driver.
Following his F3 success, Bortoleto graduated to Formula 2 in 2024, driving for the Invicta team.
Here, he continued to impress, finishing on the podium multiple times and establishing himself as a frontrunner. His F2 season included a victory at Monza, which helped him remain within striking distance of the championship leaders and further solidified his reputation as a driver capable of competing at the top levels of the sport. His performances in F2 have kept him in the spotlight, and his trajectory has drawn comparisons to other fast-rising stars like Oscar Piastri.
His career is being closely managed by Fernando Alonso, who has praised Bortoleto’s work ethic, humility, and adaptability. Given his impressive debut seasons in both F3 and F2, many see Bortoleto as a potential future F1 star, and he was linked with a seat at Sauber (Audi’s future F1 team) as was solidified with the recent announcement of his signing for 2025.
Mattia Binotto, who joined the Audi F1 project as a key leader, faced a complex decision regarding Sauber’s 2025 driver lineup. While experienced drivers like Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have been Sauber’s backbone, the team’s lack of results and the allure of young talent like Bortoleto has motivated Binotto to make a bold decision.
Choosing Bortoleto represents a potential long-term investment and aligns with Sauber’s restructuring before Audi’s full entry in 2026. Bortoleto comes with lower financial demands than Bottas and more flexibility around contract duration, enabling Sauber to nurture a rookie with potential while taking minimal risk in 2025.
The decision to not renew Bottas and Zhou’s contracts underscores Binotto’s vision for a fresh start at Sauber, favoring potential growth over stability. Audi’s focus is not solely on next season but on establishing a solid foundation for the future, which could benefit from a young talent with upward potential like Bortoleto.
