The first full-time Brazilian driver since Felipe Massa, Sauber<\/a> decided to sign Bortoleto from McLaren\u2019s academy after winning back-to-back Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships.<\/p>\n He beat the likes of Isack Hadjar, Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli to win the title, but little was expected of the 20-year-old due to Sauber\u2019s performance last season.<\/p>\n Position Drivers’ Championship PointsPts 1 324 2 293 3 230 4 194 5 163 6 117 7 70 8 66 9 38 10 37 11 32 12 30 13 28 14 20 15 20 16 18 <\/p>\n After only scoring two points in 2024, Sauber are performing at a far higher level this year.<\/p>\n There were concerns about Sauber in pre-season<\/a> ahead of Audi\u2019s<\/a> takeover in 2026, but Nico Hulkenberg<\/a> scored his maiden F1 podium at Silverstone, and Bortoleto has scored points in four of the last six races.<\/p>\n The arrival of Jonathan Wheatley<\/a> as team principal from Red Bull has coincided with Sauber\u2019s resurgence, and he\u2019s spoken about working with Bortoleto this year and the work he\u2019s putting in behind the scenes to get up to speed.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Who is 2025 Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto? Everything you need to know<\/a><\/p>\n Wheatley was appearing on the F1 Explains Podcast and was asked about the 20-year-old driver.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cGabriel\u2019s a fantastic talent, a real\u2026 I can\u2019t describe his work ethic.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s incredible, and he\u2019s in the factory, every opportunity he can, in the simulator.<\/p>\n \u201cHe and Nico have a great relationship, and they\u2019re building off of each other.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd look, my job is to make sure that we\u2019re open and honest in all our dealings with the drivers, and we give them everything they need to do their job properly.\u201d<\/p>\n Position Constructors’ Standings PointsPts 1 617 2 280 3 260 4 239 5 86 6 62 7 61 8 55 9 44 10 20 <\/p>\n Wheatley was then asked more about how he manages his two drivers, and admitted when it comes to Bortoleto: \u201cWhat they do is incredible, and I think you get used to seeing the cars going around the track and you don\u2019t realise just what they\u2019re doing and the level of physical and mental commitment that that takes is incredible.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd trying to help the driver through that process, working with Gabby, trying to help him get his mindset right at certain times and certainly what to say and what not to say on the radio as well.\u201d<\/p>\n He was then asked about his prior relationships with Hulkenberg and Bortoleto and admitted: \u201cI\u2019ve known Nico for a long time, through drivers\u2019 briefings and chats in the pit lane.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I already had a good relationship with him coming into it.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd with Gabriel, we\u2019re getting on just brilliantly, I have to say. He\u2019s a little bit too cheeky at the moment. So at some point, I\u2019m going to have to have a word with him about that!\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Who is 2025 Audi\/Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley? All to know<\/a><\/p>\n Gabriel Bortoleto already on the radar of \u2018top\u2019 Formula 1 teams after maiden Sauber season<\/p>\n The F1 driver market<\/a> hasn\u2019t been particularly active this season, with mid-season swaps at Red Bull, Racing Bulls and Alpine the only changes to happen in 2025.<\/p>\n No new drivers have been confirmed for next year ahead of F1\u2019s regulations changing, but there are still a few unassigned seats as well as the return of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez with Cadillac.<\/p>\n However, teams will be on the lookout for drivers to sign for 2027 once they establish where they are in the pecking order.<\/p>\n CategoryNico HulkenbergGabriel Bortoleto2024 points3718Grand Prix results97Grand Prix qualifying79Grand Prix wins00Grand Prix poles00Grand Prix podiums10Best finish3rd6thRetirements00DNS10Disqualifications 10Fastest laps00Grand Prix points finishes54Sprint results12Sprint Qualifying12Sprint wins00Sprint poles00Sprint podiums00The 2025 F1 teammate head-to-head battle of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto<\/p>\n The young Brazilian has committed his future to the Audi project, but Ted Kravitz believes \u2018all the top teams\u2019 are keen on Bortoleto<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Sauber](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2234123894-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Jayce Illman\/Getty Images\u2018Cheeky\u2019 Gabriel Bortoleto in the Sauber simulator at \u2018every opportunity\u2019<\/p>\n