F1 rookie Bortoleto eager to follow in footsteps of Leclerc, Russell and Piastri

Gabriel Bortoleto says the examples set by Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar Piastri inspire him to believe he can achieve race victories and fight for titles in Formula 1. By winning the 2024 Formula 2 championship the Brazilian joined Leclerc, Russell and Piastri as the only drivers to have won the Formula 3/GP3 and F2 titles in back-to-back years as rookies. While Piastri had to wait a season in a reserve role, all four were rewarded with F1 race seats and the trio that went before Bortoleto — who will race for Stake Sauber in 2025 — have all won multiple races since stepping up. “They are all F1 race winners, so for me it’s a privilege to be around these names,” Bortoleto said. “They are drivers who I have always been inspired by, when you see them racing in junior series and they were winning everything, dominating the championships as rookies, surprising F1 teams and getting their seats in F1, then growing up, winning races in F1. “That’s obviously one of my targets, to represent my country in F1 and to win races and hopefully championships one day there. So it’s amazing to be around these names and to be one of the few people that have managed to do this achievement.” Bortoleto’s signature was secured by Audi ahead of its full-time entry in 2026, and brings a Brazilian driver permanently onto the grid for the first time since 2017, something the 20-year-old says is a special feeling as he aims to give his countrymen cause for pride. “I’m super-proud of being Brazilian, because nothing is easy for us. We come from a long way from here, we go through a lot of things to achieve success — especially in this sport. “It’s very expensive for Brazil to be able to afford a driver to be able to race in Formula 3 and Formula 2 and to one day be able to go to Formula 1. We have not been going through a very good moment the last few years in Brazil; we are trying to get better and better, but it’s never easy. “For me to be able to give them a little bit of happiness in these moments is amazing, because if I can be part of their Sunday mornings when they wake up and they watch the TV and they see a Brazilian driver representing them in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, all around Europe as well, it’s an amazing feeling for me and for them as well.”