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Gabriel Bortoleto Adapts to F1 Life

2026-06-23 · Gabriel Bortoleto · Player Focus

Gabriel Bortoleto Adapts to F1 Life

Gabriel Bortoleto is dealing with a new reality in Formula 1 after winning back-to-back titles in Formula 3 and Formula 2.

What happened?

The 20-year-old Brazilian driver crashed out of the rain-hit race on debut in Australia before taking low-key finishes of 14th, 19th, and 18th across the three events since. He is still getting to grips with revised expectations and outcomes, having linked up with last year’s tail-ender Sauber.

Why it matters for Gabriel Bortoleto

Bortoleto was always braced for a roughshod ride in Formula 1, but the Brazilian is still learning from tough moments. He mentioned George Russell, who did not score a point in his first season but is now one of the best drivers in the grid.

What comes next?

Bortoleto will continue to learn and grow as a driver, trying to do a better job every race weekend and get better. The team has had the slowest car across most metrics so far in 2025 while the wider operation continues its transition process to prepare for Audi’s full-scale arrival in 2026. Sauber's limitations are starkly on display, with Bortoleto saying “I’m not fighting for points right now, that’s the realistic situation”. He also mentioned the problem of dirty air, which affects everyone but seems to struggle quite a lot for his team. As of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, McLaren’s Lando Norris leads the Drivers’ championship by three points. Haas’ Ollie Bearman has taken three straight points finishes, recovering a net 19 positions across those Grands Prix compared to his grid placement. Mercedes’ 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli has dazzled on occasion, taking fourth on debut in Australia prior to setting the fastest lap and leading the race in Japan. Bortoleto will look to improve his performance and help his team prepare for the future. The Brazilian driver is focused on having patience and learning from his experiences. He will try to point the team in the right direction with the development of the car. Bortoleto's journey in Formula 1 is just beginning, and he will face many challenges along the way. But with his talent and determination, he can overcome them and achieve success.

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