A 2024 to remember
Gabriel Bortoleto ends an extraordinary 2024 with yet another prestigious achievement. Crowned Formula 2 champion in his rookie season (after winning the Formula 3 title in 2023, also as a debutant), the Brazilian has also secured a Formula 1 seat for 2025, where he will debut driving for Sauber.
Among the greats of Formula 2
While celebrating his Formula 2 victory and awaiting his official debut in F1, Bortoleto has received another honor. At the FIA end-of-year awards ceremony held in Rwanda, the 20-year-old was presented with the 2024 Rookie of the Year title by Max Verstappen. The Dutch driver himself won the award in 2015 during his first F1 season. Among FIA competition rookies, Gabriel Bortoleto is only the fourth Formula 2 driver to earn this recognition, following Charles Leclerc (2017), Yuki Tsunoda (2020), and Oscar Piastri (2021).
The significance of the award
Called to the stage to receive his trophy, the Brazilian shared his thoughts: “The past two months have been very intense leading up to Abu Dhabi, where I fought with Hadjar, and I want to congratulate him for having such a strong season,” he said. “I am very happy to be here and to receive this award. Last year, I also had a good rookie season, but Oscar Piastri did a great job managing his first year in F1 to secure this title. For me, it is very important to receive it for the first time, and I thank you for this honor.”
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