Can Bortoleto follow in the footsteps of Leclerc, Russell and Piastri in F1?

In Abu Dhabi, on December 8, Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar piastri have been joined by a new member in the very exclusive club of champions of Formula 3 and Formula 2 : Gabriel Bortoleto. By winning his duel against Isack Hadjar and winning the title in the antechamber of the Formula 1, the Brazilian achieved the feat of winning both championships consecutively, in his first year each time. A rare performance that places him directly among the most promising talents in Formula 1, for the one who will join Sauber in 2025.

"For me, it is an honor to be among these names, confides the Paulista, who would like to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors by also winning the premier category. These drivers have won races in Formula 1, they are serious title contenders and it is a privilege for me to be part of this list. They are very good drivers who are an inspiration to the younger generation coming into F2 and F3 and looking to do the same thing. For me, it is nice to be part of this club. Now it is about looking forward and seeing what I can do in F1.

Bortoleto "merit" to be in F1 after his two titles

Throughout 2024, Gabriel Bortoleto progressed and from a simple outsider at the start of the season, the Brazilian established himself as a serious contender for the title before pocketing the crown in Formula 2. A title acquired thanks to an impressive consistency at the end of the season but above all, thanks to the series of meetings in Monza (winner of the Main Race by starting last) and Baku (two finishes in the points, zero points for Hadjar) which allowed him to place himself ideally before the end of the season... and to convince Sauber to recruit him for 2025.

"I think the break was good for me. The negotiations were over two weeks before it was made official, but in Monza and Baku we were still discussing, so it was at those moments that performance was very important, says Gabriel Bortoleto. Mattia [Binotto] was very good: he knew we were fast and that we had the opportunity to do a good job together. With the results I was getting in F2, it was clear to us that we were progressing, and the season was good. With every race I was progressing as a driver and we were doing our job better.

"In Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the pressure was less after getting the contract, but the pressure to win was still there, to win the Formula 2 championship, that pressure was still there, adds the 20-year-old pilot. I proved to myself that by winning F3 and F2 I deserved to be here. I didn't get this contract for anything else, I did it because I won both championships, like Piastri, Russell and Leclerc." A heavy succession to assume, since these three drivers are now multiple Grand Prix winners and ride for top teams.

Will he be able to shine with Sauber?

Gabriel Bortoleto will certainly have to wait one or more seasons to hope to secure a first victory in Formula 1, he who will make his debut in the modest Sauber team next year. The Swiss team has only scored four points in 2024 and it is hard to imagine him returning to the front positions any time soon, despite the arrival of Audi and Qatari investors. But the Brazilian driver knows: if he signed with Sauber, it is also to be part of the Audi project and aim for long-term success.

Aligned alongside Nico Hulkenberg In 2025, the Paulista will have a lot to learn for his first year in Formula 1, but he will have to be patient before playing with the best. Before him, George Russell had waited three years at Williams before being promoted to Mercedes…but the Briton had a long-standing association with the brand with the star, which is not the case for Gabriel Bortoleto who left the academy McLaren to join Sauber. Despite a multi-year contract, his first year in F1 could already be decisive for the rest of his career! Everything remains to be done for the Brazilian…

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