Portrait – Gabriel Bortoleto, a late bloomer… but who arrives at the right time

Ayrton Senna is still waiting for his successor. If Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa were able to go and get victories in Formula 1 (11 each), none have been able to bring the title back to Brazil since Paulista in 1991. To continue dreaming, the Auriverdes offered honorary citizenship to Lewis Hamilton, which they now celebrate as one of their own. The title of champion of F2 acquired by Felipe Drugovich in 2022 had suggested the return of a Canarinho driver to the premier category. However, the reserve Aston Martin has still not had his chance, guilty of having waited three years before being crowned in the antechamber. Now, the hopes of a nation rest on the shoulders of the tall (184 cm) and rangy Gabriel Bortoleto, champion of F3 2023 and new leader of F2 since the meeting in Baku (Azerbaijan), on September 15. And there is urgency, since the neighboring country, Argentina, is vibrating