From F3 to F2 Glory: Bortoleto Joins F1’s Elite

Gabriel Bortoleto, double rookie champion, joins Sauber F1 next year, cementing his place among motorsport’s most promising rising stars.

Gabriel Bortoleto was crowned F3 champion as a rookie, followed by an F2 championship win, also as a rookie, and he will join Sauber F1 next year. A journey previously achieved only by Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri.

“For me, it’s an honor to be among these names,” Bortoleto said in an interview with F1’s official website. “You can see that these drivers have won races in Formula 1, they’re serious title contenders, and it’s a privilege for me to be part of this list.”

“These are very strong drivers who inspire the younger generation coming through F2 and F3, aspiring to achieve the same milestones. For me, it’s nice to be part of this club. Now, it’s about looking ahead and seeing what I can do in F1.”

The Brazilian described signing his contract with Stake, a moment he cherishes deeply: “I was with my girlfriend and had my parents on FaceTime; one of my sponsors was also on the phone. It was a very special moment for us.”

“They were there to witness me signing my F1 contract. When you have so many people behind you, supporting you, reassuring you that you can do it, wishing you good luck, it can add a bit more pressure.”

“But it never distracted me; it was more of a positive for me. Having these good people around me, who have supported me since I was young, when I won, it felt like a weight off my shoulders.”

“I’ve proven to myself that by winning F3 and F2, I deserve to be here. I didn’t get this contract for any other reason; I earned it because I won both championships, just like Piastri, Russell, and Leclerc.”

Brazilian drivers haven’t had much success in F1 recently, and Bortoleto is determined to change that in the years to come. While he takes pride in bringing his country back to the forefront of motorsport, he acknowledges there’s more he wants to achieve.

“I’m happy to represent my country, but that doesn’t completely satisfy me. I also want to win races in the future, to fight for big achievements. But first, I need to improve as a driver and progress in F1, which is the most important thing for me right now.”