The 2025 season is coming to an end, and with it the first Formula 1 campaign for as many as six rookies. Gabriel Bortoleto is one of them, and the Brazilian driver has shared his thoughts and emotions in an interview with Formula1.com.
Bortoleto arrived in Formula 1 after achieving a remarkable feat, winning the Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships in consecutive seasons before making the step up with Sauber. Next year, he will continue racing in Formula 1 with Audi, a team whose long-term project is aimed at reaching the top of the sport within five years.
For now, no slaps needed
As early as the summer of 2024, Fernando Alonso had already praised Gabriel Bortoleto for both his talent and his humility. Reflecting on those words, the Brazilian was keen to stress that nothing about him has really changed.
“I don’t think I’ve changed at all,” Gabriel Bortoleto said. “I think I’ve just learned how to manage my time better. But when it comes to my personality, I don’t believe I’ve changed. I like making people smile and making those around me happy. That’s very important to me.”
He went on to explain that staying true to himself comes naturally. “I try to be like that because it’s simply who I am. In Formula 1 it’s easy to become a bit famous and change, to stop being the same person. But I don’t see any reason to change. I always joke with my friends and with the people in the team, and I say: ‘If I ever change, slap me.’ So far, no slaps!” he added with a smile.
Gabriel Bortoleto continues to embody the image of a talented and genuine driver that Fernando Alonso previously described, and Audi’s ambitious project could reward those very qualities in the years to come. With 2026 and the competitive order of the teams still full of unknowns, the Brazilian is already looking ahead with excitement.
“I’m really excited to start this new project,” Gabriel Bortoleto said. “Being fully focused on the project for next year will be incredible, and being able to drive and really concentrate on the future will be something truly special.”
In a sport where egos can often grow as fast as the cars, Gabriel Bortoleto’s insistence on humility marks him as a breath of fresh air. As he transitions from a promising rookie to a manufacturer-backed driver, maintaining that “slap-free” attitude might just be his greatest asset in navigating the political waters of a major factory team like Audi. Fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see if this blend of back-to-back titles and a down-to-earth spirit can finally bring Brazil back to the top step of the podium.
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