Gabriel Bortoleto stuns in Formula 1 and becomes a target for grid giants in future seasons

Gabriel Bortoleto, a 20-year-old Brazilian driver, has made waves in his debut Formula 1 season with Sauber, catching the eye of major teams on the grid in 2025. At the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, he secured an impressive eighth place, earning crucial points and surpassing established names like Carlos Sainz and Yuki Tsunoda in the drivers’ championship. His consistent performances, paired with a maturity beyond his years, have earned praise from journalists like Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz, who noted that “all major teams are interested” in the young talent. Despite the attention, Bortoleto remains committed to Sauber’s long-term project, set to become Audi in 2026. His rise marks a proud moment for Brazilian fans, reigniting the country’s presence in F1’s spotlight.

Bortoleto’s Monza result was no fluke. He had already shown promise in races like Austria, where he battled wheel-to-wheel with Fernando Alonso and earned the Spaniard’s praise. His rapid rise, backed by consecutive Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles, cements his reputation as a future star in the sport.

• Season highlights: Eighth place in Monza and consistent qualifying performances.
• Veteran support: Praise from Alonso and Max Verstappen, who mentored Bortoleto in practice.
• Bright future: Tied to Sauber/Audi with interest from other teams.

Meteoric rise of a Brazilian talent

The 2025 season marks Gabriel Bortoleto’s Formula 1 debut, but his path to the top was already paved with success. After clinching the Formula 3 title in 2023 and the Formula 2 championship in 2024, the Brazilian arrived at Sauber with high expectations. His adaptation to F1’s pinnacle has exceeded predictions. Despite driving a less competitive car, Bortoleto reached Q3 four times, including a standout seventh-place grid slot in Austria. His ability to maximize Sauber’s equipment shines on challenging tracks like Monza and Hungaroring.

Bortoleto’s consistency also shows in his rivalry with teammate Nico Hulkenberg. In the last six qualifying sessions, the Brazilian outperformed the veteran German, showcasing speed and confidence. This caught the attention of Sauber boss Jonathan Wheatley, who called Bortoleto “the team’s future.”

• Junior category success: Consecutive F3 and F2 titles.
• F1 performance: Q3 in four races and points in Monza.
• Edge over Hulkenberg: Outperformed in recent qualifying sessions.
• Expert praise: Wheatley and Kravitz highlight maturity and talent.

A slice of Monza 🍕🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/1CiO3Mj6Ea

— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) September 8, 2025

Interest from top teams

Bortoleto’s performances have not gone unnoticed by Formula 1’s giants. Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz reported that teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull are closely watching the Brazilian’s progress. Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone even suggested Bortoleto as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. While tied to Sauber/Audi, the interest signals Bortoleto’s potential as a key player in the driver market in coming years.

Despite the buzz, Bortoleto remains focused on Sauber. The team, set to race as Audi in 2026, views him as a cornerstone for its rebuild. His synergy with Hulkenberg, who has mentored him, further strengthens his position within the team.

Key moments of the season

The 2025 season has been defined by moments that solidified Bortoleto’s reputation. In Austria, Max Verstappen’s assistance during qualifying helped him secure a strong grid position. Monza was a turning point, with Bortoleto scoring points and showcasing overtaking prowess. Even setbacks, like an incident with Lance Stroll in Hungary, where he was penalized for driving with a damaged wing, didn’t derail his composure or progress.

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• Austria GP: Verstappen’s help and seventh-place grid slot.
• Monza GP: Eighth place and four championship points.
• Hungary GP: Incident with Stroll and penalty for car damage.
• Resilience: Handling pressure and setbacks with maturity.

Support from legends and Brazil’s pride

Bortoleto’s rise has drawn comparisons to Brazilian F1 icons like Ayrton Senna and Emerson Fittipaldi. Band reporter Mariana Becker, in an exclusive Motorsport.com interview, emphasized his passion for representing Brazil, resonating deeply with fans. Bortoleto’s commitment to “making Brazil proud” shines through in his racing and off-track efforts, including simracing alongside Verstappen.

His connection with Fernando Alonso, via the A14 Management agency, has also been pivotal. Alonso, who raced closely with Bortoleto in Austria, praised his competitiveness and offered valuable advice post-race. This network of support from F1 veterans underscores Bortoleto’s potential for greatness.

Challenges of the F1 transition

Despite his success, Bortoleto faced hurdles adapting to Formula 1. He admitted that moving from F2 champion to the back of the grid with Sauber was tougher than expected. The media pressure and commercial obligations also caught him off guard. Yet, his ability to manage these demands has impressed, with Wheatley praising his “remarkable maturity” after the Hungary GP.

• F2 to F1 transition: Struggles with a less competitive car.
• Media pressure: Balancing off-track commitments.
• Response to challenges: Maturity lauded by team leadership.

Bright future with Audi

Sauber, transitioning to Audi in 2026, sees Bortoleto as a key asset in its long-term vision. The team, which has struggled to score consistently in 2025, relies on the Brazilian to lead its resurgence. His partnership with Hulkenberg has been instrumental, offering technical and strategic insights. As Audi gears up, expectations are high that Bortoleto will compete for higher positions.

The Brazilian remains committed to the project, expressing gratitude to Sauber/Audi and a desire to contribute to its success. Despite interest from other teams, Bortoleto stays grounded, focusing on the present while eyeing a victorious future.

• Audi project: Sauber’s transformation in 2026.
• Hulkenberg partnership: Technical and strategic guidance.
• Pilot’s commitment: Dedication to team development.