Gabriel Bortoleto stands out in Sauber tests and prepares for his Formula 1 debut in 2025
Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto recently completed two days of private testing with the Sauber team at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit in Spain. At just 20 years old, the young talent had the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time under ideal track conditions, making the most of every minute to accumulate mileage and technical knowledge. These tests are part of an intensive preparation for his official Formula 1 debut in the 2025 season, which is already generating great anticipation among fans and motorsport experts.
In a video shared on his social media, Bortoleto expressed enthusiasm about the experience gained over the two days of testing. The driver highlighted that the laps completed were crucial for his development and that he feels increasingly ready to face the challenge of competing among the best in the world. Additionally, the Brazilian thanked the support he has received and reinforced his confidence ahead of this new phase of his career.
Before the Barcelona tests, Bortoleto had already participated in sessions at the Imola circuit in Italy. However, adverse weather conditions affected his performance, limiting his track time and preventing more precise data collection. Therefore, the opportunity in Barcelona was essential for both the team and the driver, ensuring he could better adapt to the Sauber car and gain a deeper understanding of its functionality.
Gabriel Bortoleto completou 2 dias de testes em Ímola com a Sauber utilizando o modelo C43 de 2023.
Com pista molhada e temperaturas baixas o teste serviu para dar mais Km ao Gabriel em condições de pista adversas.
📹 – Divulgação pic.twitter.com/jyGTgtZSnX
— Velocidade Alta (@velocialta) January 23, 2025
A victorious motorsport trajectory
Gabriel Bortoleto did not reach Formula 1 by chance. The Brazilian driver built a solid career in junior categories and caught the world’s attention by winning the Formula 3 title in 2023. In his rookie season in Formula 2 in 2024, Bortoleto repeated the feat, securing the championship and reinforcing his talent and adaptability to different challenges. These achievements were fundamental in securing his seat with Sauber for the 2025 season.
Since childhood, Bortoleto has demonstrated a passion for speed and a natural talent on the track. Born in São Paulo, he began his karting career at the age of eight and quickly stood out in national and international competitions. By the age of 15, he was already competing in European single-seater categories, gaining experience on high-level circuits and facing some of the best young talents in global motorsport.
The Brazilian’s meteoric rise in motorsport reflects his commitment, dedication, and natural skill. His success in Formula 3 and Formula 2 placed his name on the radar of major Formula 1 teams, leading to the opportunity to test with Sauber and secure a spot on the grid of the world’s premier motorsport category.
Sauber bets on renewal for 2025
The Sauber team is undergoing a significant transition period. With the departure of drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu at the end of the 2024 season, the team decided to revamp its driver lineup, betting on the youth and talent of Bortoleto. The Brazilian will partner with the experienced Nico Hülkenberg, forming a duo that combines youth and experience in an attempt to elevate the team’s competitiveness.
Sauber, currently competing under the Alfa Romeo name, is preparing for a new phase with Audi’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026. The German automaker will take control of the team and is already planning massive investments in infrastructure and technology to make it a competitive force on the grid. As a result, signing a young talent like Bortoleto aligns with the long-term development strategy, aiming to build a strong foundation for the coming years.
Sauber’s choice of Bortoleto demonstrates the team’s confidence in the Brazilian’s potential to grow alongside Audi’s project. His quick adaptation to Formula 3 and Formula 2 single-seaters was a key factor in the team’s decision to give him the opportunity to start his Formula 1 career.
Expectations for the Formula 1 debut
Gabriel Bortoleto’s Formula 1 debut is scheduled for the Australian Grand Prix, which will take place at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on March 16, 2025. This will be a historic moment for Brazilian motorsport, as the country has not had a representative in the category since Felipe Massa’s departure in 2017.
The arrival of a new Brazilian driver in Formula 1 reignites national interest in the sport. Brazil has a rich history in the category, with three world champions – Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet, and Ayrton Senna – and a total of eight titles. Expectations are high that Bortoleto can establish himself in the elite motorsport category and, in the future, become another standout name from Brazil.
Movements in the Formula 1 market
In addition to Bortoleto’s arrival in Formula 1, the category is experiencing a moment of major changes. One of the most impactful moves was Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari. The seven-time world champion will leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season to race for the Italian team, a decision that took many fans by surprise.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff commented on Hamilton’s departure, comparing the situation to “seeing an ex with a new partner.” Despite the lighthearted tone, Wolff emphasized that there are no hard feelings and that the team remains focused on the future.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari adds another layer of excitement to the 2025 season, which promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years. The British driver will have the mission of leading the Italian team in the hunt for the championship, while Mercedes will need to find a suitable replacement to maintain its competitiveness.
Key points from Bortoleto’s Barcelona tests
- The Brazilian completed two days of testing with Sauber at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.
- The experience was crucial for his adaptation to the Formula 1 car.
- Before this, he carried out tests in Imola, but weather conditions limited his track time.
- Bortoleto emphasized the importance of the completed laps and stated that he is ready for the season.
Challenges for the rookie season
Gabriel Bortoleto will face significant challenges in his first Formula 1 season. As a rookie, he will need to quickly adapt to the pace of the category and compete against experienced and established drivers. Additionally, Sauber has not been a frontrunning team in recent years, meaning the Brazilian will have to extract the most from a car that may not be among the best on the grid.
However, his trajectory in Formula 3 and Formula 2 demonstrates that he has the ability to overcome adversity and evolve throughout the season. The primary goal will be to gain experience and show consistency in his performance, securing solid results and establishing himself as a promising talent for the future of the category.
With high expectations and the support of the Brazilian fanbase, Bortoleto has a great opportunity to showcase his talent and start his Formula 1 journey on the right foot.

Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto recently completed two days of private testing with the Sauber team at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit in Spain. At just 20 years old, the young talent had the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time under ideal track conditions, making the most of every minute to accumulate mileage and technical knowledge. These tests are part of an intensive preparation for his official Formula 1 debut in the 2025 season, which is already generating great anticipation among fans and motorsport experts.
In a video shared on his social media, Bortoleto expressed enthusiasm about the experience gained over the two days of testing. The driver highlighted that the laps completed were crucial for his development and that he feels increasingly ready to face the challenge of competing among the best in the world. Additionally, the Brazilian thanked the support he has received and reinforced his confidence ahead of this new phase of his career.
Before the Barcelona tests, Bortoleto had already participated in sessions at the Imola circuit in Italy. However, adverse weather conditions affected his performance, limiting his track time and preventing more precise data collection. Therefore, the opportunity in Barcelona was essential for both the team and the driver, ensuring he could better adapt to the Sauber car and gain a deeper understanding of its functionality.
Gabriel Bortoleto completou 2 dias de testes em Ímola com a Sauber utilizando o modelo C43 de 2023.
Com pista molhada e temperaturas baixas o teste serviu para dar mais Km ao Gabriel em condições de pista adversas.
📹 – Divulgação pic.twitter.com/jyGTgtZSnX
— Velocidade Alta (@velocialta) January 23, 2025
A victorious motorsport trajectory
Gabriel Bortoleto did not reach Formula 1 by chance. The Brazilian driver built a solid career in junior categories and caught the world’s attention by winning the Formula 3 title in 2023. In his rookie season in Formula 2 in 2024, Bortoleto repeated the feat, securing the championship and reinforcing his talent and adaptability to different challenges. These achievements were fundamental in securing his seat with Sauber for the 2025 season.
Since childhood, Bortoleto has demonstrated a passion for speed and a natural talent on the track. Born in São Paulo, he began his karting career at the age of eight and quickly stood out in national and international competitions. By the age of 15, he was already competing in European single-seater categories, gaining experience on high-level circuits and facing some of the best young talents in global motorsport.
The Brazilian’s meteoric rise in motorsport reflects his commitment, dedication, and natural skill. His success in Formula 3 and Formula 2 placed his name on the radar of major Formula 1 teams, leading to the opportunity to test with Sauber and secure a spot on the grid of the world’s premier motorsport category.
Sauber bets on renewal for 2025
The Sauber team is undergoing a significant transition period. With the departure of drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu at the end of the 2024 season, the team decided to revamp its driver lineup, betting on the youth and talent of Bortoleto. The Brazilian will partner with the experienced Nico Hülkenberg, forming a duo that combines youth and experience in an attempt to elevate the team’s competitiveness.
Sauber, currently competing under the Alfa Romeo name, is preparing for a new phase with Audi’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026. The German automaker will take control of the team and is already planning massive investments in infrastructure and technology to make it a competitive force on the grid. As a result, signing a young talent like Bortoleto aligns with the long-term development strategy, aiming to build a strong foundation for the coming years.
Sauber’s choice of Bortoleto demonstrates the team’s confidence in the Brazilian’s potential to grow alongside Audi’s project. His quick adaptation to Formula 3 and Formula 2 single-seaters was a key factor in the team’s decision to give him the opportunity to start his Formula 1 career.
Expectations for the Formula 1 debut
Gabriel Bortoleto’s Formula 1 debut is scheduled for the Australian Grand Prix, which will take place at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on March 16, 2025. This will be a historic moment for Brazilian motorsport, as the country has not had a representative in the category since Felipe Massa’s departure in 2017.
The arrival of a new Brazilian driver in Formula 1 reignites national interest in the sport. Brazil has a rich history in the category, with three world champions – Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet, and Ayrton Senna – and a total of eight titles. Expectations are high that Bortoleto can establish himself in the elite motorsport category and, in the future, become another standout name from Brazil.
Movements in the Formula 1 market
In addition to Bortoleto’s arrival in Formula 1, the category is experiencing a moment of major changes. One of the most impactful moves was Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari. The seven-time world champion will leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season to race for the Italian team, a decision that took many fans by surprise.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff commented on Hamilton’s departure, comparing the situation to “seeing an ex with a new partner.” Despite the lighthearted tone, Wolff emphasized that there are no hard feelings and that the team remains focused on the future.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari adds another layer of excitement to the 2025 season, which promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years. The British driver will have the mission of leading the Italian team in the hunt for the championship, while Mercedes will need to find a suitable replacement to maintain its competitiveness.
Key points from Bortoleto’s Barcelona tests
- The Brazilian completed two days of testing with Sauber at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.
- The experience was crucial for his adaptation to the Formula 1 car.
- Before this, he carried out tests in Imola, but weather conditions limited his track time.
- Bortoleto emphasized the importance of the completed laps and stated that he is ready for the season.
Challenges for the rookie season
Gabriel Bortoleto will face significant challenges in his first Formula 1 season. As a rookie, he will need to quickly adapt to the pace of the category and compete against experienced and established drivers. Additionally, Sauber has not been a frontrunning team in recent years, meaning the Brazilian will have to extract the most from a car that may not be among the best on the grid.
However, his trajectory in Formula 3 and Formula 2 demonstrates that he has the ability to overcome adversity and evolve throughout the season. The primary goal will be to gain experience and show consistency in his performance, securing solid results and establishing himself as a promising talent for the future of the category.
With high expectations and the support of the Brazilian fanbase, Bortoleto has a great opportunity to showcase his talent and start his Formula 1 journey on the right foot.

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