Gabriel Bortoleto becomes the third Brazilian and 14th driver to debut in F1 with Sauber

Gabriel Bortoleto Fórmula 1


Brazil returns to the Formula 1 grid in 2025 with the arrival of Gabriel Bortoleto, the reigning Formula 2 champion, who will take one of the seats at Sauber. The 20-year-old from São Paulo makes history as the third Brazilian driver to debut with the Swiss team and the 14th overall to take his first steps in the world’s premier motorsport category under the Sauber banner. His entry marks a new phase for the team, which will be rebranded as Audi starting in 2026, ushering in a new era in F1.

Bortoleto’s signing ends a seven-year drought without a Brazilian driver in the category. Since Felipe Massa’s retirement in 2017, Brazil has not had a permanent representative on the grid. Now, with one of the most promising young talents, the country resumes its tradition in Formula 1, which has already seen world champions like Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, and Emerson Fittipaldi. The young driver’s arrival in F1 reinforces Brazil’s successful history in motorsport and reignites fans’ passion for the sport.

Bortoleto will partner with the experienced Nico Hülkenberg and face a season filled with challenges and learning experiences. His debut in the category will take place at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, where he will try to make an impact in his first official laps with the Sauber car. His journey to F1 has been marked by determination, talent, and consistent progress, which allowed him to reach this level at just 20 years old.

Brazil’s historical connection with Sauber in Formula 1

Sauber has a long-standing history with Brazilian drivers. Before Bortoleto, only Felipe Massa and Felipe Nasr had made their F1 debuts with the Swiss team. Massa debuted in 2002 before moving to Ferrari, where he built a highly successful career and came close to winning a world title. Nasr, on the other hand, made his first F1 appearance in 2015, securing an impressive fifth-place finish in his debut race—still the best debut result for a Brazilian driver in the category.

Beyond Brazilian drivers, Sauber has been a launchpad for several top-tier drivers. The team gave world champions Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel their first F1 opportunities before they claimed their titles. Other notable names such as Robert Kubica and Charles Leclerc also started their Formula 1 careers with the Swiss team.

The complete list of drivers who debuted in Formula 1 with Sauber includes Heinz-Harald Frentzen (1994), Jean-Christophe Boullion (1995), Norberto Fontana (1997), Kimi Räikkönen (2001), Felipe Massa (2002), Robert Kubica (2006), Sebastian Vettel (2007), Sergio Perez (2011), Esteban Gutiérrez (2013), Felipe Nasr (2015), Antonio Giovinazzi (2017), Charles Leclerc (2018), and Zhou Guanyu (2022). Now, in 2025, Gabriel Bortoleto joins this exclusive group, carrying forward Sauber’s legacy of nurturing new talent.

Gabriel Bortoleto’s journey to Formula 1

Gabriel Bortoleto started his karting career at a young age and quickly stood out in both national and international competitions. At 12 years old, he moved to Europe to compete in junior single-seater categories, facing top-tier rivals and accumulating crucial experience. His talent was evident early on, opening doors for him to race with prestigious teams in junior motorsport.

In 2023, Bortoleto competed in Formula 3 and impressed with race wins and consistent performances. His results caught the attention of McLaren’s driver academy, which began closely monitoring his development. The following year, he made his debut in Formula 2 and delivered an outstanding campaign, securing the championship in his rookie season. This achievement was crucial in landing him a Formula 1 seat with Sauber.

During the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi in December 2024, Bortoleto had his first experience driving an F1 car. The young driver described it as an “incredible feeling” and emphasized the importance of the test for his adaptation. Since then, he has dedicated himself to intensive preparation, including physical training, simulator sessions, and technical work alongside Sauber’s engineers.

Sauber’s transition to Audi and Bortoleto’s future

Bortoleto’s arrival at Sauber coincides with a transition period for the team. In 2026, it will officially become Audi, with substantial investments and an ambitious plan to compete at the top of the category. The young Brazilian driver is part of this long-term strategy, and expectations are that he will grow alongside the team and become a key figure in Audi’s F1 project.

Audi has already begun structuring its entry into Formula 1 by investing in car development and strengthening its technical team. The goal is for the team to challenge F1 powerhouses like Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes starting in 2026. Bortoleto has the opportunity to mature within this project, establishing himself as one of the standout drivers of the new generation.

Preparation and challenges for the 2025 season

Bortoleto is set to face a learning curve and significant challenges in his first Formula 1 season. Adapting to the new car, handling the physical demands of F1 races, and competing against experienced drivers are aspects that will require his full dedication. Among the biggest challenges he will encounter are:

  • Car adaptation: The transition from Formula 2 to Formula 1 is substantial, with differences in power, aerodynamics, and technical complexity. Bortoleto will need to quickly adjust to the new machinery to extract the best performance.
  • Race strategy: Formula 1 involves complex strategic decisions, including tire management, fuel consumption, and overtaking tactics. The Brazilian must develop his racecraft to compete effectively.
  • Communication with the team: Working closely with engineers and mechanics will be essential. Sharing feedback during practice sessions and races will help the team fine-tune the car and enhance performance.
  • Qualifying performance: Securing good starting positions will be crucial for maximizing race results. The young driver will need to focus on optimizing his one-lap speed in qualifying sessions.

With talent, dedication, and a structured team behind him, Gabriel Bortoleto has a unique opportunity to build a successful Formula 1 career. His debut will be closely followed by Brazilian fans, who have been eagerly waiting for a new driver to represent the nation in the world’s top racing series.



Brazil returns to the Formula 1 grid in 2025 with the arrival of Gabriel Bortoleto, the reigning Formula 2 champion, who will take one of the seats at Sauber. The 20-year-old from São Paulo makes history as the third Brazilian driver to debut with the Swiss team and the 14th overall to take his first steps in the world’s premier motorsport category under the Sauber banner. His entry marks a new phase for the team, which will be rebranded as Audi starting in 2026, ushering in a new era in F1.

Bortoleto’s signing ends a seven-year drought without a Brazilian driver in the category. Since Felipe Massa’s retirement in 2017, Brazil has not had a permanent representative on the grid. Now, with one of the most promising young talents, the country resumes its tradition in Formula 1, which has already seen world champions like Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, and Emerson Fittipaldi. The young driver’s arrival in F1 reinforces Brazil’s successful history in motorsport and reignites fans’ passion for the sport.

Bortoleto will partner with the experienced Nico Hülkenberg and face a season filled with challenges and learning experiences. His debut in the category will take place at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, where he will try to make an impact in his first official laps with the Sauber car. His journey to F1 has been marked by determination, talent, and consistent progress, which allowed him to reach this level at just 20 years old.

Brazil’s historical connection with Sauber in Formula 1

Sauber has a long-standing history with Brazilian drivers. Before Bortoleto, only Felipe Massa and Felipe Nasr had made their F1 debuts with the Swiss team. Massa debuted in 2002 before moving to Ferrari, where he built a highly successful career and came close to winning a world title. Nasr, on the other hand, made his first F1 appearance in 2015, securing an impressive fifth-place finish in his debut race—still the best debut result for a Brazilian driver in the category.

Beyond Brazilian drivers, Sauber has been a launchpad for several top-tier drivers. The team gave world champions Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel their first F1 opportunities before they claimed their titles. Other notable names such as Robert Kubica and Charles Leclerc also started their Formula 1 careers with the Swiss team.

The complete list of drivers who debuted in Formula 1 with Sauber includes Heinz-Harald Frentzen (1994), Jean-Christophe Boullion (1995), Norberto Fontana (1997), Kimi Räikkönen (2001), Felipe Massa (2002), Robert Kubica (2006), Sebastian Vettel (2007), Sergio Perez (2011), Esteban Gutiérrez (2013), Felipe Nasr (2015), Antonio Giovinazzi (2017), Charles Leclerc (2018), and Zhou Guanyu (2022). Now, in 2025, Gabriel Bortoleto joins this exclusive group, carrying forward Sauber’s legacy of nurturing new talent.

Gabriel Bortoleto’s journey to Formula 1

Gabriel Bortoleto started his karting career at a young age and quickly stood out in both national and international competitions. At 12 years old, he moved to Europe to compete in junior single-seater categories, facing top-tier rivals and accumulating crucial experience. His talent was evident early on, opening doors for him to race with prestigious teams in junior motorsport.

In 2023, Bortoleto competed in Formula 3 and impressed with race wins and consistent performances. His results caught the attention of McLaren’s driver academy, which began closely monitoring his development. The following year, he made his debut in Formula 2 and delivered an outstanding campaign, securing the championship in his rookie season. This achievement was crucial in landing him a Formula 1 seat with Sauber.

During the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi in December 2024, Bortoleto had his first experience driving an F1 car. The young driver described it as an “incredible feeling” and emphasized the importance of the test for his adaptation. Since then, he has dedicated himself to intensive preparation, including physical training, simulator sessions, and technical work alongside Sauber’s engineers.

Sauber’s transition to Audi and Bortoleto’s future

Bortoleto’s arrival at Sauber coincides with a transition period for the team. In 2026, it will officially become Audi, with substantial investments and an ambitious plan to compete at the top of the category. The young Brazilian driver is part of this long-term strategy, and expectations are that he will grow alongside the team and become a key figure in Audi’s F1 project.

Audi has already begun structuring its entry into Formula 1 by investing in car development and strengthening its technical team. The goal is for the team to challenge F1 powerhouses like Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes starting in 2026. Bortoleto has the opportunity to mature within this project, establishing himself as one of the standout drivers of the new generation.

Preparation and challenges for the 2025 season

Bortoleto is set to face a learning curve and significant challenges in his first Formula 1 season. Adapting to the new car, handling the physical demands of F1 races, and competing against experienced drivers are aspects that will require his full dedication. Among the biggest challenges he will encounter are:

  • Car adaptation: The transition from Formula 2 to Formula 1 is substantial, with differences in power, aerodynamics, and technical complexity. Bortoleto will need to quickly adjust to the new machinery to extract the best performance.
  • Race strategy: Formula 1 involves complex strategic decisions, including tire management, fuel consumption, and overtaking tactics. The Brazilian must develop his racecraft to compete effectively.
  • Communication with the team: Working closely with engineers and mechanics will be essential. Sharing feedback during practice sessions and races will help the team fine-tune the car and enhance performance.
  • Qualifying performance: Securing good starting positions will be crucial for maximizing race results. The young driver will need to focus on optimizing his one-lap speed in qualifying sessions.

With talent, dedication, and a structured team behind him, Gabriel Bortoleto has a unique opportunity to build a successful Formula 1 career. His debut will be closely followed by Brazilian fans, who have been eagerly waiting for a new driver to represent the nation in the world’s top racing series.



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