RISING STAR: GABRIEL BORTOLETO IN THE 2025 FORMULA 1 SEASON
Gabriel Bortoleto wasn’t dominating pre-season headlines, but halfway through the 2025 Formula 1 campaign, that has quietly begun to change. The 20-year-old Brazilian made his long-anticipated F1 debut this year with the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, which makes him the first brazilian full time driver since Felipe Massa retired in 2017, joining veteran Nico Hülkenberg in what many viewed as a transition year for the squad.
A former Formula 3 champion in 2023 and Formula 2 title winner in 2024, Bortoleto entered F1 carrying high expectations in the paddock, even if not yet in the press. With a composed driving style, deep technical understanding, and a solid mental approach, he’s proving to be one of the most mature rookies on the grid.
A Season of Growth and Grit
Bortoleto’s season began quietly, with early races in Bahrain, Jeddah, and Miami ending in DNFs or finishes outside the points. But momentum began to shift mid-season. A breakthrough came in Austria, where he finished 8th and scored his first points in Formula 1. He followed that up with a P9 in Belgium and then delivered his most impressive performance yet at the Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing 6th in a tricky, high-degradation race that saw him voted Driver of the Day by fans worldwide.
That result wasn’t just a career-best finish—it also marked a turning point in his visibility within the sport. Bortoleto had helped Sauber to their best race result of the season and elevated the team to 7th place in the Constructors’ Championship with a total of 51 points at the summer break. As of August 4, Bortoleto has scored 14 of those points, a major contribution from a rookie in a midfield car.
The Alonso Effect
One of the strongest forces behind Bortoleto’s rise is none other than two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard, who has taken on a managerial and mentoring role since stepping away from full-time racing, has been a vocal supporter of his Bortoleto. Alonso didn’t hold back in recent interviews, stating:
“He’s the best rookie of his generation. If he were English or something and finished sixth with a Sauber, he would be on the front page of every newspaper.”
Alonso’s comments highlight a sentiment shared by many: Bortoleto’s talent is flying under the radar. Despite outperforming fellow rookies like Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman in several key races, Bortoleto’s achievements have often gone under-reported—especially in English-language media.
Alonso, who knows a thing or two about going toe-to-toe with elite talent, has praised Bortoleto’s race intelligence, adaptability, and ability to handle pressure—traits that can’t be taught but only revealed over time.
Rekindling the Brazilian Flame
Gabriel Bortoleto’s rise in Formula 1 has done more than elevate Sauber’s performance—it has reignited a long-dormant fire in the hearts of Brazilian motorsport fans. Since Felipe Massa stepped away from F1 in 2017, Brazil has yearned for a new national icon to cheer for. Now, in Bortoleto, they may have found that figure. Calm and composed outside the cockpit but fiercely competitive on track, he evokes the precision of Rubens Barrichello and the passion of Ayrton Senna—two legends whose shadows still loom large.
Television viewership in Brazil is climbing again, race highlights featuring Bortoleto trend regularly on social media, and his presence is becoming a fixture in national headlines. From São Paulo to Porto Alegre, fans are beginning to believe once more.
Bortoleto understands the responsibility that comes with the spotlight:
“I want to bring the yellow and green flag back to the podium—not just for me, but for all the people who grew up dreaming of watching a Brazilian win again.”
While a podium finish may not yet be within reach this season, one thing is clear: Gabriel Bortoleto is already carrying Brazil’s Formula 1 legacy forward—with pride, promise, and purpose.
Rookie Class & Rivalries
The 2025 rookie lineup is stacked with talent—Antonelli at Mercedes, Bearman at Haas, Hadjar at Racing Bulls—but Bortoleto may be the standout. While others face ups and downs, he’s delivered consistency, smart tire management, and few mistakes.
Within Sauber, he’s quietly edging out teammate Nico Hülkenberg in both qualifying and race pace, prompting speculation that the team—and Audi’s 2026 plans—may soon center around the rising Brazilian.
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