Gabriel Bortoleto

Gabriel Bortoleto was born on October 14, 2004, in São Paulo, Brazil. He carries the weight and pride of Brazilian motorsport heritage — a lineage that includes legends like Ayrton Senna, Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet, and Rubens Barrichello. Bortoleto began karting in Brazil before moving to Europe to pursue his single-seater ambitions.

Bortoleto's junior career was marked by steady improvement and increasing success. He competed in Formula 3 before stepping up to Formula 2, where his smooth driving style, exceptional tyre management, and strategic intelligence set him apart from his peers. His 2024 F2 championship was won with a combination of qualifying speed and race-day consistency that belied his young age.

The F2 title earned Bortoleto attention from multiple F1 teams, and he was signed by the Audi project (transitioning from Kick Sauber) as part of their long-term plan to build a championship-challenging team. As the German manufacturer invests billions in their F1 programme, Bortoleto represents the future — a young, talented driver who can grow with the team.

Bortoleto's arrival in F1 has reignited interest in the sport across Brazil, where he is already being hailed as the nation's next great motorsport hope. His youthful energy, Brazilian passion, and smooth driving style have made him an instant fan favourite. Paired with the experienced Nico Hülkenberg, Bortoleto has the perfect mentor as he navigates his first seasons in Formula 1.