Ecclestone’s guidance helped young Brazilian Bortoleto clinch a contract with Audi F1, opening critical doors for his future.
Bernie Ecclestone and his wife revealed they had “helped” Gabriel Bortoleto secure a spot on the Formula 1 grid for 2025 and beyond.
The Audi-owned Sauber team announced last week that Valtteri Bottas would be replaced at the end of the season by Bortoleto, a 20-year-old Brazilian.
Ecclestone, the famous former F1 boss, now spends his retirement on a Brazilian coffee plantation and is married to Fabiana Flosi, currently one of the FIA vice-presidents for sport.
“Bortoleto’s father thanked us for our help in getting his son Gabriel into Audi-Sauber,” Fabiana told Swiss newspaper Blick. “We opened a few doors there.”
Bernie added: “What’s important for him now is to find an apartment near the Sauber factory.”
It also appears Audi may sell a minority stake in the Swiss-based F1 team to Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, potentially leading to a main sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways.
A Sauber spokesperson responded, stating: “We do not engage in speculation. The team is not for sale.”
Ecclestone admitted surprise that Sauber, the only F1 team not based in the UK or Italy, still exists.
“I once told Peter (Sauber) that Switzerland was an island for Formula 1, and I admire his perseverance. Now, Audi is stepping in, but given the current situation, the Germans may not even mind that people from Qatar are interested in the new project and want to get involved.”
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Bortoleto Joins Audi F1: Ecclestone’s Hand in Career Boost Bortoleto Joins Audi F1: Ecclestone’s Hand in Career Boost
