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For Alonso, a rookie stands out among the 2025 class: "He's the best"
© Antonin Vincent / DPPI
In 2025, there will be six of them playing their first full season in Formula 1 : Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, Jack Doohan, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto. The latter, champion of Formula 2 in 2024, will move up a level next year with the Sauber team. And for Fernando Alonso, the Brazilian is the best among all the new drivers of the 2025 class.
"I think [Gabriel Bortoleto] is the best, assured the double Spanish world champion, in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of December. I have nothing to add. First season in F3 ? Champion. First season in F2? Champion. I know there is a lot of talk about the younger generation, a lot of rookies next year too. They are all very talented, but the best is Gabriel. You can see it on the track with the same cars [in Formula 2]. Obviously next year he might not have the same car as some of the newcomers, but I hope people don't forget that he is better than them, he has been and he will be.
Well, it would be dishonest to hide from you that Gabriel Bortoleto and Fernando Alonso have a special bond: in fact, the young Brazilian is managed by the A14 Management agency, which is none other than the structure created by… Fernando Alonso himself. In Abu Dhabi, just after the Invincta driver's Formula 2 victory, the Asturian was one of the first to come and congratulate his protégé in the Parc Fermé…
© Antonin Vincent / DPPI
Can Bortoleto show his potential at Sauber?
Of course, the opinion of the Formula 1 veteran with 401 Grand Prix starts should be taken with a pinch of salt. Nevertheless, Gabriel Bortoleto can indeed boast of having the best track record among the six rookies who will make their Formula 1 debuts next year. The São Paulo native has become the fourth driver to achieve the Formula 3 – Formula 2 double in two years, after Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar piastri, nothing less. Champion in his first season in Formula 2, the Brazilian beat Isack Hadjar at the last meeting in Abu Dhabi, a few weeks after being confirmed by Sauber in 2025. The former protégé of the academy McLaren will become the first Brazilian driver to compete in a Formula 1 season since Felipe Massa in 2017.
Despite his golden run in the promotion formula, Gabriel Bortoleto was promoted to the worst team of the 2024 season, Sauber having finished 10th and last in the Constructors' Championship with only 4 points. If the 20-year-old driver will certainly have difficulty distinguishing himself in 2025 if the Swiss team struggles to progress, he will be at the heart of the Audi project and the arrival of the brand with the rings from 2026...
ALSO READ > Can Bortoleto follow in the footsteps of Leclerc, Russell and Piastri in F1?
Dorian Grangier
A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.
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eric stevens
02/01/2025 at 11:38 a.m.
you are very naive! he could not ignore the tactic by starting with so little fuel, so he was aware and i remain convinced that it was his idea. to win, he would be ready for anything. briatore served as a fuse by taking his responsibility as team leader. as for 2007, there too he knew (maybe he is the raven) and if the season with mclaren had gone well, we would never have known anything
vincent moyet
30/12/2024 at 06:41 a.m.
It was Flavio Briatore who was recognized as the instigator of the cheating and convicted. He managed to have this conviction overturned probably thanks to personal support. As for Alonso, let us recall that he testified (in exchange for impunity) against his employer McLaren during the 2007 season when McLaren had illegally obtained confidential information from Ferrari.
Yves-Henri RANDIER
30/12/2024 at 12:15 a.m.
@Eric STEVENS: I don't think Fernand is as cunning and especially Machiavellian as that! On the other hand, Machiavelli was very Italian...
eric stevens
29/12/2024 at 07:55 a.m.
yves henri? why flavio cheater? for singapore 2009? wouldn't it be an idea of the brilliant alonso?
vincent moyet
29/12/2024 at 06:49 a.m.
Comments which therefore have no interest or objectivity since Fernando is only defending his business...
Yves-Henri RANDIER
29/12/2024 at 06:28 a.m.
Fortunately, the young Brazilian is not like ... Doohan managed by the King of Cheaters "Il Magnifico Flavio" who is already putting pressure on him before the start of the season. With Fernand managed for a time by FB, Bortoleto is more relaxed hoping that he can make some splashes at the wheel of the Saubersteakick 2025!