Gabriel Bortoleto has delivered a measured and confident assessment of his rookie Formula 1 campaign.
Bortoleto insisted his first season at Sauber laid a solid foundation despite the challenges of competing in an uncompetitive car for much of the year.
Reflecting on a season where development limitations defined early results, the Sauber rookie explained: “I think I’ve achieved a lot this year. It’s a car that at the beginning of the year was completely out of the window and for sure not a point-scoring car.”
The Brazilian acknowledged missed opportunities early in the season but was clear that performance potential only arrived later.
“In the first race of the year, a lot of people were crashing and I was a rookie, so I probably didn’t use all of the opportunities I had in that race. But we know our true pace was not to score points until really Barcelona,” he said.
Once the car improved, Bortoleto felt he was able to demonstrate his capability; he added: “Then, obviously, we had a very strong run in the summer season where we got very good points for the team. And I felt like I was delivering amazing performances.”
Development focus shifted as Sauber turned attention to the future, something Bortoleto says inevitably affected competitiveness; he said: “Then we stopped developing the car to focus on next year. Some other teams kept going, so maybe we stepped back a little bit. But we are still in the fight for points every weekend.”
Recognition means a lot
Recognition from within the paddock has been particularly meaningful for the 21-year-old, who stressed the importance of internal validation.
He said: “It’s great to be recognised by people in the paddock, by people from the team, by the fans because at the end of the day, I know the job I’m doing.
"Sometimes, as you said, you are limited by what you are driving and sometimes if you do a very good job and it’s just not really showing off. The important thing is the team knows what I’m doing and everything, all the effort I’m putting in and the hard work as well.”
One of Bortoleto’s strongest supporters has been his manager, double F1 world champion Fernando Alonso. On that relationship, Bortoleto revealed: “I speak a lot to him. And he gives me a lot of inputs of my stuff on track. And I think he’s proud, I would say. So I’m happy for that.”
Bortoleto’s growing profile was most evident at his home race, an emotional weekend despite its on-track disappointment.
“I love the love of the fans,” he said. “They are very supportive. The Brazilian Grand Prix was not an easy one for me. But at the same time, it was probably the most amazing experience I ever had in my life.”
He continued: “To hear that crowd cheering my name and one day I was the kid there cheering for someone. It’s just a dream coming true and to have all these Brazilian people supporting me. We are so many. It’s just incredible.”
If I change, slap me in the face!
Despite rising expectations, Bortoleto insists success has not altered his character; he claimed: “I didn’t change at all.
"I think I’ve learned different things to manage my time better. But as my personality and everything, I don’t think I’ve changed.
“I enjoy making people smile and people happy around me. I think that’s very important. I try to be like that. It’s just who I am,” Bortoleto added, before joking: “I always joke with my friends and people even in the team. I said, if one day I change, you slap me in the face. So far, I have not had any slaps!”
Looking ahead, Bortoleto will become part of Audi’s first Formula 1 works driver line-up, a challenge he is eager to embrace.
“I’m excited to start this new project,” he said. “To be fully focused on the project for next year, that will be incredible and to be able to lead that and focus for next year will be incredible.”
With a solid debut season behind him and a manufacturer-backed future ahead, Bortoleto enters the next phase of his Formula 1 career with confidence, clarity, and momentum.
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