Gabriel Bortoleto has had a rocket-like rise. In just two years, the Brazilian made it from Formula 3 to Formula 2 to Formula 1. It is not without reason that the F1 talent already sees itself on the same level as prominent F1 stars.
Gabriel Bortoleto will drive for Kick Sauber in the premier class in 2025. Alongside Nico Hülkenberg, the 20-year-old will gain important experience in Formula 1 before the new regulations take effect in 2026 and Audi takes over.
The youngster sees himself well prepared for the challenge, after all, he has excelled in the lower-class motorsport series over the last two years. In 2023 he won Formula 3 in his first season, and in 2024 he even won Formula 2. “I have proven with my victories in Formula 3 and Formula 2 that I deserve to be here,” the rookie told “formula1. com”.
And he added quite confidently: “I didn’t get the deal because of anything else, but because I won both racing series – like Piastri, Russell and Leclerc.”
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, Mercedes star George Russell and Ferrari man Charles Leclerc had once achieved the feat of winning first in Formula 3 and then in Formula 2 before their debuts in the premier class.
Formula 1 rookie Bortoleto: “It’s a privilege”
Piastri won F3 in 2020 and F2 a year later, and was then signed by McLaren in 2023.
Russell won the GP3 series, the predecessor of Formula 3, in 2017, and then won the Formula 2 title in 2018. A year later he made his debut for Williams, and in 2022 he moved to Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton.
And Leclerc achieved the feat in 2016 (GP3 series) and 2017 (Formula 2), and in 2018 he drove for Alfa Romeo Sauber in Formula 1. He has been with Ferrari since 2019.
It is “an honor” to now be mentioned in the same breath as the Formula 1 greats: “These are race winners, top candidates and future World Cup aspirants. It is a privilege to be included on this list.” Altogether, the trio won 13 races in Formula 1 (Leclerc eight, Russell three, Piastri two). The young Brazilian also wants to be on an F1 podium in the future.
Bortoleto added: “These drivers are a great inspiration to young drivers who have gone through F2 and F3 like me. I will see what I can do in F1.”