Arrived in 2025 on the grid of Formula 1, Gabriel Bortoleto currently sits sixteenth in the drivers’ standings with 18 points. Less than three years ago, the Brazilian joined Trident to compete in the Formula 3. A rookie in 2023, he quickly took control of the championship and won the title. A performance that caught the attention of McLaren and earned him a spot in their junior program the same year. Promoted in Formula 2 The following season, Bortoleto triumphed again, winning the title in his first year. His consecutive successes combined with the support of Fernando Alonso opened the doors to Formula 1 with Sauber, making him the first full-time Brazilian driver on the grid since Felipe Massa in 2017.

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Gabriel Bortoleto paints the portrait of a dedicated manager, on the podcast microphone ” F1 beyond the grid ” The two-time world champion has effectively been managing Gabriel Bortoleto’s career since 2022, when the latter joined A14 Management, the Spaniard’s management company. It’s a “manager and friend, deciphered the F2 champion. I don’t consider him my boss, but we work together, we make decisions together. My bosses are Mattia (Binotto, Sauber CEO), Jonathan (Wheatley, Team Principal) and the guys at Audi.” Bortoleto explained that he learned a lot from the pilot. Aston Martin. “Fernando has so much experience, so much knowledge about this world, and he helps me a lot in my career and outside of my career too.”

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Fernando Alonso’s support was instrumental in his early career and his rise to Formula 1. Alonso has since continued to provide the young Brazilian with his experience and remains a close mentor to this day. “He helped me get into Formula 1, putting a lot of pressure on Sauber. We have a very respectful relationship.” confided Bortoleto. ” I do not think so (having been able to arrive in Formula 1 without Fernando Alonso. Editor’s note). Fernando wasn’t just the one who pushed me to get into Formula 1. He also helped me get my F3 contract with a very good team. He taught me a lot that season, in my first season.” acknowledged the Osasco (São Paulo) native. While Alonso remains a valuable mentor for Bortoleto off the track, things can change once he’s in the race.

Alonso keeps secrets

The two drivers often compete for the same positions. A competition that is both stimulating and demanding. It’s fun (racing with him) but it’s difficult, you know, he’s pretty crazy.” The Spaniard is in fact protecting some of his secrets. He’s very open about many things, but some things, maybe when he retires, he’ll tell me all about them!” noted the Brazilian.

Working with the double world champion remains an incredible opportunity for the young driver. “I believe a lot in what he explains and teaches me, declared the Sauber driver. Even after Budapest, he had a masterful race where I finished behind him in P6 and he finished in P5. It was incredible to race against him, to see everything he did, how he saved his tires at the beginning of the race and pushed more afterwards, etc. I asked him, “Why did you do that? What is the exact reason?” Because I had thought of three different reasons. Which one is the right one?

Besides his abilities in the cockpit, Alonso also excels in the art of strategy and promotion to support his protégé. “McLaren made us an offer. We didn’t go to McLaren. McLaren came to us with an offer, but then he was the one who spoke to Zak several times, who negotiated, discussed and insisted on certain points.”

Bortoleto says he is fully grateful to his mentor, the true driving force behind his career. “He taught me a lot during my season in F2, thanked the Brazilian. I’m not sure I would be here. I’m not sure I would have won F2 and F3 if he hadn’t managed my career and got me my F1 seat.”