Gabriel Bortoleto, a promising Brazilian driver, entered Formula 1 in 2025 after securing a contract with Sauber, soon to be rebranded as Audi. Central to his ascent was the guidance of two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso, who acted as a mentor and supporter throughout Bortoleto’s junior racing years. The young driver recently shared insights into how Alonso contributed significantly to his development and opportunities.

During his second year in Formula Regional, Bortoleto faced setbacks due to several retirements caused by reliability problems. Despite this, his strong performance later in the season earned him a seat in Formula 3 with the Trident team. Alonso and his management group, A14 Management, signed Bortoleto amid those challenges, helping to boost his career forward.

Personal mentorship from Alonso and early career milestones

Bortoleto has openly recognized Alonso’s crucial role in his racing journey. Throughout the 2024 season, Alonso was frequently seen in Sauber’s hospitality, reportedly negotiating the Brazilian’s seat for the upcoming F1 campaign. After capturing the 2024 Formula 2 championship, Bortoleto secured his place in Sauber’s 2025 lineup.

In a recent interview, Bortoleto reflected on his time in Formula 3 and how Alonso remained a constant source of guidance. He said,

“Fernando came on board in mid-2022 and it was a very important step, a great added value. In 2023, I arrived in F3 and raced in F1 weekends for the first time. When I entered the circuit for the first time, I realised that I would be racing under the eyes of all the major F1 teams, so I asked Fernando for lots of advice on how to manage the race weekend, the pressure, the expectations, and many other things.” —Gabriel Bortoleto, Driver

Bortoleto also praised Alonso’s dedication despite his busy schedule, adding,

“One might think that someone as busy as Alonso wouldn’t have time, but I can confirm that he always found it, perhaps sacrificing his breaks, and I find his willingness to help very admirable and, of course, a great added value,” added Bortoleto.

Bortoleto’s early racing development and move to Europe

Gabriel Bortoleto’s motorsport journey began when he relocated to Europe at the age of 11 to pursue karting. After several years competing in karting championships, he advanced to professional single-seater racing. His debut in Formula 4 came in 2020, followed by a couple of seasons in Formula Regional before climbing further up the motorsport ladder.

On-track battle between Alonso and Bortoleto at the Hungarian Grand Prix

During the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso and Gabriel Bortoleto started the race within the top 10 grid positions and engaged in a fierce battle. The two drivers held P5 and P6 early on, with Bortoleto attempting to overtake his mentor multiple times. Alonso, however, maintained the upper hand and managed to pull away as the race progressed.

Their duel lasted throughout the race, concluding with Alonso finishing just ahead of Bortoleto. After the event, Alonso spoke with F1TV on the positives of gaining valuable points before the mid-season break. At that moment, Bortoleto briefly overtook Alonso on the track, prompting the veteran to make a lighthearted remark. Alonso said,

“Yeah, it feels good and we were a lot faster than the Sauber you know,”

The comment was met with laughter from both drivers and those nearby.

Significance of Alonso’s mentorship for Bortoleto’s future

Fernando Alonso’s steady support and experience have been instrumental in Gabriel Bortoleto’s journey to Formula 1. The opportunity to learn directly from a two-time world champion has helped Bortoleto navigate the pressures of racing on the biggest stage and manage expectations from top teams observing his progress. As Sauber transitions to Audi for the 2026 season, it remains likely that Alonso’s mentorship will continue to influence Bortoleto’s growth and performance.

With Bortoleto now established in F1 and carrying the lessons from Alonso, the motorsport community will watch closely as this young talent builds on his championship-winning momentum and strives for success in the highly competitive Formula 1 environment.