Gabriel Bortoleto responds to Helmut Marko’s criticism, confident his results will prove the Red Bull advisor wrong over time.
Helmut Marko is at it again. The Red Bull advisor didn’t hold back, claiming several rookies this year aren’t up to par. Jack Doohan took the biggest hit, but Gabriel Bortoleto wasn’t spared either. The Sauber rookie, however, wasn’t about to stay silent.
“I don’t care. I mean, I saw it, and I like challenges,” Bortoleto responded. “Helmut has brought a lot of talent into F1—but also a lot of bad talent. He’s been right and wrong. I hope to prove him wrong over time.”
He knows words won’t change Marko’s mind, only results. “Nothing I say in the media will make a difference. But I’ll prove him wrong eventually, and hopefully, he admits it when I do.”
Bortoleto isn’t lacking confidence. “I’m proud of what I’ve done in the junior series. I won in F2 and F3 against the Red Bull drivers he picked—so that speaks for itself.”
Bortoleto’s Big F1 Debut: “I’ve Been Waiting for This”
This weekend, Gabriel Bortoleto finally steps onto the F1 stage. The Brazilian is pumped and ready to take on Melbourne, a track he enjoys but knows can be tricky.
“It’s incredible. I’m so excited for my first F1 race,” he said. “I worked hard all winter to prepare for this moment, and my whole life to get here. I’m just soaking in every second of the weekend. I can’t wait to get in the car.”
Melbourne is a track he knows well from F3 and F2, but it’s still a challenge. “It’s a special circuit. It’s urban but not fully. You have to be careful in some spots, but in others, you can really push. If it rains on Sunday, things could get really interesting.”
His plan? Take it one step at a time. “I want to ease into FP1, get comfortable with these faster cars, and adapt to the changes at Turn 6. It’s all about finding the rhythm and avoiding mistakes. They can happen, but they can also be avoided. The goal is to keep improving.”
Hülkenberg & Alonso Back the Young Brazilian
Bortoleto’s teammate, Nico Hülkenberg, has been impressed so far. “He’s hungry for information, super focused, and works hard. He’s quick—it’ll be interesting with him,” said the German.
Fernando Alonso, whose A14 Management oversees Bortoleto’s career, also had nothing but praise: “His dedication and professionalism are what stand out the most.”
Since day one, Bortoleto has been fully committed. “He worked tirelessly to reach his dream. From Formula Regional Europe to F3 and F2, he prepared for every race with incredible maturity. He deserves to be in F1, and hopefully, he’ll have a long and successful career,” Alonso added.
The Brazilian is already making waves. “He’s the best rookie of this new generation. There are a lot of rookies in F1 this year, but he’s been the standout. Maybe he doesn’t have the car right now to show it, but I hope people remember what he’s done over the last two years.”
Bortoleto has arrived. Now, it’s time to prove he belongs.
- Discover More>Marko Slams F1 Rookies – Doohan Won’t Last the Season?
- Follow us on >Facebook and >Twitter for F1 updates
Bortoleto Hits Back: “Marko Got It Wrong on Talent” Bortoleto Hits Back: “Marko Got It Wrong on Talent”
