Gabriel Bortoleto reflects on the F1 achievements of Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar: 'We'll find out where we stand in two decades.'
Gabriel Bortoleto has seen Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar revel in their inaugural Formula 1 podium finishes. Both drivers belong to his cohort, having raced alongside him in the lower categories.
He knows them well, having competed against and triumphed over them, but their journeys in F1 have diverged. While Antonelli and Hadjar have tasted podium glory, Bortoleto is currently aiding Audi in establishing a team that aspires to contend at the top in the years ahead.
It would be natural for Bortoleto to feel restless, yet the 22-year-old has recognized that his chance may take longer to materialize.
“They are the two drivers from my generation who are achieving podiums,” the Brazilian stated to Motorsport.com. “I've raced against them throughout my life. The reality is that I performed well against them in the junior series, and I know my capabilities. But I must practice patience. Each individual has their own journey. Let’s see where we all end up in two decades."
Bortoleto has realized his childhood aspiration of entering F1, but this new chapter has introduced unique hurdles. After years of striving for victories and titles in the junior ranks, he now measures his progress by different criteria.
"I'm very pleased to be in Formula 1,” he continued. “It's the initial step toward a dream I've always harbored. However, to be frank, it’s also challenging when you come from the junior levels where you've been winning, and then step into Formula 1 knowing you can't compete at the forefront. It's been nearly two years now. Currently, the aim is to secure points, which is no small feat."
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi
What drives Bortoleto is his faith in Audi's future. He does not view the team as merely a stepping stone to another seat, nor does he see his current role as a means to attract attention from an established contender. He aims to be part of the project when Audi itself emerges as a winning team.
"What inspires me and keeps me motivated is the project I’m involved in,” said the 2023 F3 and 2024 F2 champion. “I'm not with a team that aspires to remain stagnant. I'm with a team that is progressing each year and has a clear long-term vision. I hope that one day I’ll look back and realize that everything we've experienced helped us reach the pinnacle."
Bortoleto is also cognizant that, given his age and potential, he is expected to play a significant role in Audi's future. However, he views this expectation as a point of pride rather than a burden.
"Pride, indeed. Pressure, no,” he expressed. “There will be tough moments, times when you're not winning, and I must focus on my mindset, on self-improvement, and evolving as a driver. Because when Audi provides me with the chance to win, equipped with a competitive car and engine - and it will come, I believe it won’t be too long - I'll need to be ready to showcase my abilities."
Bortoleto is confident that Audi will eventually supply him with the tools necessary to compete at the top tier. He acknowledges that it may take time, but he is also aware of how swiftly the competitive landscape in F1 can transform.
"Right now, Hadjar and Kimi are clearly closer to the ultimate goal, which is clinching a world title. But everything could shift in a year. You never know. I just have to continue giving my best,” said Bortoleto, who holds 15th position in the drivers’ standings, with Audi ranked eighth in the constructors’ championship.
‘Mattia Binotto is much more than a boss’
Mattia Binotto, Audi F1 Team
One of the individuals Bortoleto frequently consults for guidance regarding his situation is Mattia Binotto. The leader of Audi's F1 project has witnessed Ferrari's successful years from within and has navigated various phases in the team's history. He is now engaged in developing a new operation with aspirations of reaching the top, and Bortoleto values that insight.
"I converse with Mattia often,” he noted. “I frequently seek his advice on this situation because I recognize he possesses vast experience and understands what I'm currently facing. He has been part of a winning team and is now with a team that aims to achieve victory. He provides me with substantial support."
Their relationship has also evolved beyond Bortoleto's initial expectations of the person leading his team.
"He's a mentor, a friend, a boss, but he’s also quite different from what I anticipated,” Bortoleto remarked. “Typically, when you have a boss, the dynamic is somewhat formal. But he stands out. I don’t just regard him as a boss, but as someone I can approach for advice about my personal life. That’s a really wonderful aspect of our relationship."
Another figure Bortoleto turns to for advice is Max Verstappen. The two share a friendship and a common interest in sim racing, providing Bortoleto ample chances to ask questions. Instead of concentrating solely on driving techniques or qualifying preparations, Bortoleto is particularly keen on Verstappen's experiences with Red Bull's transformation into a championship-winning ensemble.
"I often talk to Max,” Bortoleto shared. “Naturally, the specifics remain between us, but we frequently discuss how I'm feeling, my development, what I expect from Audi, and how we are progressing as a team. I inquire about his experiences at Red Bull prior to winning the world title: what it was like, how the team functioned."
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
And occasionally, those discussions occur during a gaming session.
"These thoughts sometimes arise while we're playing, so I ask him,” Bortoleto explained.
Binotto and Verstappen offer Bortoleto distinct perspectives on identical challenges. Binotto has the experience of working within a successful organization and aiding in the development of a team with aspirations for victory, while Verstappen understands the journey of dedicating years toward a first world championship.
For Bortoleto, their guidance is invaluable as he seeks to grow both as a driver and as part of a team that is not yet positioned to contend for wins.
The boy who never wanted a Plan B
Bortoleto's current willingness to exercise patience stands in stark contrast to his mindset during his junior career, when he dismissed the idea of any alternative to reaching F1.
"Never," he answered, when queried about whether he ever considered a Plan B.
"Many people cautioned me that it was misguided to think this way, and perhaps it was, as there are numerous excellent categories in motorsport where one can become a professional and race at a high level. But my ambition was to reach Formula 1 because that was my dream since childhood."
As he advanced through the junior levels, those around him encouraged him to entertain the possibility that an F1 opportunity might elude him. The number of available seats was limited, driver turnover was slow, and many talented racers had missed out.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Invicta Racing, Monza 2024
"They would say, 'Even if you win Formula 3, and even if you’re successful in Formula 2, what will you do if it doesn’t materialize?” he recalled. "And I would respond, 'I can't fathom that. Don't even mention it.' I would get frustrated and walk away."
Bortoleto eventually clinched the F3 championship as a rookie before advancing to F2 the subsequent year. A pivotal moment in that season came at Monza in 2024.
He found himself in the gravel at the first Lesmo during qualifying, at a critical juncture in his championship chase. His title rival Hadjar was set to start third, while Bortoleto faced the daunting task of beginning from the back of the grid. For several minutes, he feared that the damage to his championship aspirations could be substantial.
"I told myself, 'I’m starting last, he’s starting third. Even if I drive the race of my life, where can I finish? We all have identical cars; it’s not as if one is significantly better than the other. Even the engineers were saying it wouldn’t be easy to overtake,” he stated.
Bortoleto ultimately triumphed in the race.
"With everything that unfolded during the race, winning was an extraordinary feeling for me. It was something truly special."
This victory also came at a critical juncture in his pursuit of an F1 seat. Bortoleto had yet to secure a contract and understood that every chance to showcase his talent was crucial.
"I needed to prove that I warranted an opportunity," he asserted.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber
The phone call that validated two decades of effort
When he finally received confirmation of his F1 seat, Bortoleto found it hard to grasp the reality of the situation. Discussions with Audi had been ongoing for a while, yet he was uncertain whether the opportunity would materialize in 2025 or 2026. Then, his manager reached out to share the announcement date.
"I asked him, 'What announcement? For 2026?'" And he replied, 'No, for 2025!' I said, 'What are you talking about, 2025?' And he said, 'You'll be a full-time driver in 2025.'
Bortoleto was at his residence in Milan with his girlfriend when he got the news. He promptly called his family back in Brazil.
"I video called my dad, mum, and brother, and I said, 'I have something to share. Stop everything!' I remember my mum was in tears, my brother was over the moon, and my father was at a loss for words,” he recounted.
For Bortoleto, this moment signified more than just landing an F1 contract. It was a chance to reflect on the years spent karting, traveling, and the sacrifices made by his parents to support his aspirations—many of which he had been too young to fully recognize back then.
"It's hard to put into words what it means,” he expressed. “But it's the culmination of 20 years of effort. I know how many days my father missed being home, how many races he couldn't attend when I was young because he had to work."
The Bortoleto family had no prior connections to motorsport. His father was involved in the internet and telecommunications sector before venturing into Brazilian motor racing, where he currently manages the Stock Car series.
Rubens Barrichello in the Stock Car Pro Series
This family background seems to have shaped Bortoleto's perspective on finances. When asked if F1 drivers compare their earnings and compete over who makes the most, he chuckles at the notion.
"I’m not concerned about how much other drivers make,” he stated. “What matters to me is having a competitive car and a solid plan moving forward. The financial aspect is just a byproduct. If you’re an exceptional champion, you’ll always have financial security. If you’re winning races, the last thing you should be fixated on is your income."
He also feels that accumulating wealth comes with a duty to others: "If anything, the real question is how to allocate it or whom to assist. If you earn a lot and fail to support those around you, you don’t deserve it."
A mind that never shuts down
Bortoleto admits he struggles to turn off his thoughts about racing. Video games offer a way to unwind, even if he still finds himself behind a virtual steering wheel in his leisure time.
"My mind is constantly on racing,” he admitted. “I need something that allows me to disconnect from what I do the rest of the day. Sometimes it's still motorsport, but in a different context. I'm laughing, I'm enjoying myself, it’s not work. I don’t have to pursue perfection."
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Perfection is something Bortoleto believes no human driver can genuinely attain, regardless of how close they might get.
"The perfect lap? No, I don’t think it exists, because perfection would imply being able to say, 'There was nothing more I could have done.' But you can achieve a lap that is very near perfection. Perfection isn’t a human trait. To me, perfection is what you achieve in computer simulations."
This mindset also influences how Bortoleto approaches his own growth. Instead of merely evaluating himself based on current outcomes, he aims to ensure he is continually learning and evolving throughout his career.
"I study, I seek to understand,” he noted. “Ultimately, when I reflect on my career in 20 or 30 years, I don’t want to feel that I didn’t give it my all."
It’s another indication of the long-term outlook that permeates Bortoleto's approach to F1. He is willing to be patient and see where he, Antonelli, and Hadjar will find themselves in 20 years, just as he hopes to look back on his own career knowing he maximized his opportunities.
For the moment, that means recognizing that other drivers from his generation are vying for podiums while he assists Audi in becoming a competitive force at the front. He views these years as an essential part of the journey toward achieving his ultimate ambition, rather than lost time awaiting a competitive vehicle.
As the interview draws to a close, there is one last query: where does Gabriel Bortoleto aspire to be in five years?
"Hopefully winning world championships, naturally with Audi."
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