Gabriel Bortoleto has observed Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar revel in their first Formula 1 podium finishes. Both belong to the same era of drivers as him, having raced against each other in the lower categories.
Thus, he is quite familiar with their racing capabilities, having competed against them and achieved success. Nevertheless, their journeys in Formula 1 have diverged significantly up to this point. While Antonelli and Hadjar have already tasted podium glory, Bortoleto is focused on aiding Audi in cultivating a competitive team aimed at top-tier success in the future.
It’s reasonable for Bortoleto to feel a sense of urgency, yet the 22-year-old has embraced the understanding that his chance may require a longer wait.
“They are the two from my generation who have been on the podium,” remarked the Brazilian in an interview with Autosport. “I’ve raced against them throughout my life. The reality is I performed well against them in the junior categories, and I know my capabilities. However, I must exercise patience. Everyone follows their own journey. Let’s see where we all stand in 20 years.”
Bortoleto has realized his childhood aspiration of joining Formula 1, but it has come with its own set of trials. After years of battling for victories and titles in the lower divisions, he now evaluates his growth by new metrics.
“I’m incredibly glad to be a part of Formula 1,” he remarked. “This is the initial step toward a dream I have held since childhood. However, it’s also challenging when you move from the junior categories, where you’ve been successful, to Formula 1, where you recognize that fighting at the front is not feasible. It’s been nearly two years now. At this point, the objective is to earn points, which is no simple task.”
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
What drives Bortoleto forward is his faith in Audi’s trajectory. He doesn’t view the team as merely a stopover en route to another seat, nor does he regard his current circumstances as a means to attract the eye of a well-established contender. His ambition is to contribute to the project as Audi evolves into a victorious team.
“The project I’m part of is what inspires me and keeps me motivated,” stated the 2023 F3 and 2024 F2 champion. “I’m in a team that isn’t aiming to settle for our current position. We are progressing each year with a well-defined long-term approach. I aspire to look back one day and realize that all the experiences have helped us reach the peak.”
Bortoleto is also cognizant that, considering his age and potential, there are expectations for him to play a significant role in Audi’s advancements. However, he regards this expectation as a point of pride rather than a burden.
“Pride, absolutely. Pressure, not really,” he expressed. “There will be challenging phases, times when victories aren’t forthcoming, and I must continue working on my mindset and growing as a driver. Because when Audi grants me the chance to win, equipped with a championship-worthy car and engine—and that will occur, I don’t think it’ll take too long—I need to be prepared to demonstrate my abilities.”
Bortoleto is confident that Audi will eventually provide him with the tools necessary to compete at the forefront. He acknowledges that it may require patience, yet he is aware of how swiftly the competitive landscape in Formula 1 can shift.
“At the moment, Hadjar and Kimi are ahead in the race for the ultimate achievement, which is the world championship. Yet everything can fluctuate in a year. You never can tell. I just have to continue giving it my all,” said Bortoleto, currently sitting 15th in the drivers’ standings, while Audi claims eighth in the constructors’ championship.
‘Mattia Binotto is much more than a boss’
Mattia Binotto, Audi F1 Team
Photo by: Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images
One key advisor for Bortoleto as he navigates his situation is Mattia Binotto. The head of Audi’s F1 effort has been through Ferrari’s triumphant years and knows the various phases in its history. He is currently engaged in cultivating a new team with ambitions of success, making his wisdom invaluable to Bortoleto.
“I consult with Mattia frequently,” Bortoleto noted. “I often seek his guidance because I recognize his wealth of experience and how well he grasps what I’m facing at the moment. He has been a part of victorious teams and is now with one striving to win. His support has been immense.”
Moreover, Bortoleto’s connection with Binotto has evolved beyond his initial expectations of a team leader.
“He’s a mentor, a friend, a leader, but also quite different from my preconceptions,” Bortoleto explained. “Typically, a boss-staff relationship is a bit formal. However, he stands apart. I don’t see him just as a superior; I can approach him for life advice too. That’s a genuinely nice feature of our rapport.”
Max Verstappen is another figure from whom Bortoleto seeks wisdom. They share a friendship and a common interest in sim racing, providing him ample chances to inquire. Bortoleto is particularly curious about Verstappen’s experiences during Red Bull’s transformation into a championship powerhouse, not just on driving skills or qualifying tactics.
“I chat with Max quite often,” Bortoleto admitted. “Of course, our conversations remain private, but we discuss how I’m feeling, my growth, my aspirations with Audi, and how we’re progressing as a unit. I ask him about his journey at Red Bull before clinching the world title: what it was like, how the team functioned.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Clive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Occasionally, these discussions happen during gaming sessions.
“Sometimes these thoughts come to mind while we’re playing, so I pose my questions,” Bortoleto shared.
Binotto and Verstappen each provide Bortoleto with distinct viewpoints regarding the same challenge. Binotto’s experience within a successful organization helps in developing a team that aspires to win, while Verstappen offers insights from years spent striving towards his first world championship.
For Bortoleto, their counsel is invaluable as he endeavors to grow as a competitor while being part of a team not yet prepared to vie for victories.
The boy who never considered a Plan B
Bortoleto’s current patience stands in stark contrast to his mindset during his earlier racing years, where he dismissed the notion of having alternatives to achieving F1.
“Never,” he answered, when inquired whether he ever considered a Plan B.
“Many advised me that this thinking was misguided, and perhaps they were right, considering the myriad of outstanding categories in motorsport where one can excel. Nevertheless, I was resolute in my pursuit of Formula 1, as it had been my dream since childhood.”
As he advanced through the junior ranks, many around him urged him to contemplate the possibility that an F1 opportunity might never materialize. The limited number of seats, coupled with low driver turnover, meant that numerous gifted drivers had missed out.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Invicta Racing, Monza 2024
Photo by: Invicta Virtuosi Racing
“They would tell me, ‘Even if you win Formula 3 and clinch Formula 2, what’s your plan if it doesn’t materialize?” he recalled. “And I would respond, ‘I can’t entertain those thoughts. Don’t even bring it up.’ It would frustrate me, and I’d walk away.”
Bortoleto proceeded to win the F3 title in his rookie year, and moved up to F2 the subsequent season. A pivotal moment of that season occurred at Monza in 2024.
He found himself in the gravel at the first Lesmo during qualifying at a critical juncture in his title chase. His main rival, Hadjar, was set to start third, while Bortoleto risked beginning from the back of the grid. For several moments, he feared a significant setback to his championship aspirations.
“I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to be last, and he’s in third. Even if I have the best race of my life, what can I achieve? We all have identical cars; there’s no standout. Even the engineers noted how challenging overtaking could be,” he reflected.
Ultimately, Bortoleto triumphed in the race.
“Given all that unfolded during the event, claiming victory was an extraordinary joy for me. It felt uniquely special.”
This success also arrived at a key moment in his efforts to earn an F1 seat. Bortoleto had yet to finalize a contract and recognized that every chance to showcase his talent was crucial.
“I needed to demonstrate that I warranted an opportunity,” he stated.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
The phone call that justified 20 years of dedication
Upon receiving confirmation of his F1 seat, Bortoleto initially found it hard to grasp the reality of the news. Discussions with Audi had been ongoing for a while, but he was uncertain whether the opportunity would arise for 2025 or 2026. Then, a call from his manager revealed the announcement date.
“I asked him, ‘What announcement? For 2026?’ He responded, ‘No, for 2025!’ I was baffled, exclaiming, ‘What do you mean, 2025?’ And he clarified, ‘You’ll be competing as a full-time driver in 2025.’
Bortoleto was at home in Milan with his girlfriend when he got the update. He quickly reached out to his family back in Brazil.
“I made a video call to my dad, mom, and brother, saying, ‘I have something important to share. Stop everything!’ I recall my mom was in tears, my brother was overjoyed, and my father was at a loss for words,” he recalled.
For Bortoleto, the moment was not just about an F1 contract; it was a moment to reflect on the two decades of karting, travel, and the sacrifices his parents made to support his journey—many of which he hadn’t fully grasped during his youth.
“Describing what it signifies is nearly impossible,” he stated. “It represents 20 years of dedication. I remember how many days my father missed being home, how many races he couldn’t attend when I was young because he had to work.”
The Bortoleto family did not have a prior involvement in motorsport. His father initially worked in the internet and telecommunications sector before diving into Brazilian motor racing, where he now manages the Stock Car series.
Rubens Barrichello in the Stock Car Pro Series
Photo by: Duda Bairros
“Their sacrifices were immense, including spending time apart from me to maintain their work. That day, during the video call, it struck me that this was not only a huge milestone for me, but an even more significant one for my mom and dad. All those sacrifices were worth it.”
This family background seemingly shaped Bortoleto’s perspective on finances. When asked if F1 drivers compare their earnings and compete over salary levels, he chuckles at the very suggestion.
“I’m not concerned with what other drivers earn,” he asserted. “What truly matters is having a competitive car and a solid plan ahead. Money will follow. If you’re a true champion, you will never be deprived financially. If you’re winning races, the last thing you should be fretting about is your earnings.”
He believes that achieving substantial wealth comes with the duty to assist others: “The real question lies in where to allocate it or whom to help. If you accumulate wealth and neglect those around you, you don’t deserve it.”
A mind that never switches off
Bortoleto acknowledges that he struggles to disengage from the racing mindset. Video games serve as a form of relaxation, even as he continues maneuvering through virtual races.
“My thoughts are perpetually on racing,” he admitted. “I require something that allows me to unwind from what consumes my day. Sometimes it’s still motorsport, but through a different lens. I’m enjoying myself, laughing; it’s not work. I’m not pursuing flawlessness.”
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Bortoleto believes that true perfection is unattainable for any human driver, regardless of how closely they may approach it.
“The ideal lap? No, it doesn’t exist, because perfection would imply, ‘There’s nothing more I could have done.’ Yet, one can achieve a lap that is quite close to perfection. Perfection is beyond human capabilities. For me, it’s what you achieve via computer simulations.”
This viewpoint also influences how Bortoleto assesses his growth. Instead of solely evaluating himself by current outcomes, he aims to ensure continuous learning and improvement throughout his career.
“I analyze, I strive to comprehend,” he explained. “Ultimately, when I reflect on my career in 20 or 30 years, I want to avoid the regret of not having done everything within my power.”
This sentiment ties into the long-term perspective of Bortoleto’s approach to Formula 1. He is willing to wait and observe where he, Antonelli, and Hadjar will be in 20 years, just as he seeks to look back on his life knowing he maximized his opportunities.
For now, his focus lies in the understanding that while peers from his generation are contending for podiums, he is engaged in helping Audi develop into a significant competitor. He perceives these years as necessary steps towards his ultimate goal, rather than lost time in waiting for a top-performing car.
As the conversation draws to a close, a final question arises: Where does Gabriel Bortoleto envision himself in five years?
“Ideally, I’ll be winning world championships—of course, with Audi.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
