Get to Know Your Rookies: All About Gabriel Bortoleto
Gabriel Bortoleto, the reigning Formula 2 Champion, became the first Brazilian to compete in Formula 1 full-time since 2017. The 20-year-old driver was born in Sao Paulo, and he began karting at the age of seven. He soon went on to win his local championships and was recognized early on due to such winnings. His father, Lincoln Oliveria, was also involved in Brazilian motor racing and provided much-needed support for his son as he began to enter the sport. It was four years later that the young driver went on his way to Europe to progress further into karting. He then drove in international championships and made his way into the single-seaters.
After his time winning races in almost every single category that he has driven in, he went on to experience Italian Formula 4 and Formula Regionals from 2021-2022. He was also signed by Fernando Alonso’s A14 management company, and with such a great mentor, he had a quicker chance to move up in his career. Bortoleto, with amazing skill, captured back-to-back Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles in 2023 and 2024. He now stands with Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri as they claim winning back-to-back titles in F3 and F2.
His performance trickled its way into the paddock and saw his career thrive since there were some open seats on the 2025 Formula 1 grid, it got ideas stirring. He was originally signed with McLaren after he won his F3 title, but the chiefs didn’t want to hold his progression back, as the team currently has an unstoppable duo with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Due to the new team boss of Kick Sauber, Mattia Binotto got Bortoleto in the second seat, learning alongside Nico Hulkenberg. Even with his unfortunately frustrating drive during the Japanese Grand Prix, as he finished in P19, the rookie driver and the team are working towards pace and car characteristics for the upcoming races. With the slight bump in the road, Bortoleto pushes on and is making his way through the turns of this extremely competitive sport. Be sure to look out for number five during the upcoming Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix on April 13th.
