‘Big responsibility and also a big pleasure’, for Gabriel Bortoleto, as Audi F1 journey begins proper

From F2 champion to F1 rookie for backmarkers Sauber and now ready to take on his sophomore season with Audi, Gabriel Bortoleto is excited to take on the responsibility of representing the iconic German marque.

The 21-year old Brazilian talked of lots of good moments in his debut F1 season, as well as the difficult. While only accruing 19-points and finishing 19^th overall in the standings, Bortoleto stood out with a sixth place finish in Hungary – as well as achieving an even Head-to-Head record in grands prix with his highly esteemed teammate Nico Hülkenberg.

“Yeah, a lot of great things, a lot of good moments last year, a lot of also difficult moments,” he said speaking to F1 Chronicle ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.  

“But I think that was part of the learning curve, I feel like, you know, we have done lots of positive things in the cars as well.”

“We developed a much better car from what we started the year. I feel like in the junior series’, you just have a standard car for everyone and you cannot really change much. You just change your setup. While in Formula One, there is so many more topics that you can apply and change. So, yeah, definitely was a great year and a lot of learning.”

F1’s all new 2026 technical and engine regulations as well, which enticed Audi into their takeover of Sauber, have already caused concerns around energy management for drivers and the notion of ‘super clipping’. As well as drivers being in different postcodes in terms of their deployment on a lap.

“It’s different. It’s very different. I feel like there is a lot of new topics that we need to apply on our driving, to change, to recharge more the battery and to, yeah, just adapt it,” was Bortoleto’s pragmatic response to being asked about adapting to the new regulations.

Though in terms of his own driving, Bortoleto really praised the leadership of second-year Team Principal Johnathon Wheatley and Head of Audi F1 Project in Mattia Binotto and their impact.

“Jonathan, having Mattia, it’s always good, you know, to have people that support you and to help you, to develop in the fastest and best way possible.

“I think, yes, I think he [Wheatley] definitely helped, but he’s not only him, but together with Mattia, together with the whole team you know – there is so many people involved, so many people that deserved credits.”

And not only does the Brazilian have excellent guidance within the team, but also a unique support network of world champions also in his corner. Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is Bortoleto’s manager and four-time world champion Max Verstappen is a close friend.

“Yeah, it’s great. I mean, obviously, Fernando supporting me since F3 and helping me to get to F1, helping me to be a better driver, a lot of advice and everything.

“And Max, you know, we drive a lot together in the simulator, we practice together, he gives me a lot of tips, and he’s probably one of the greatest of all time. So, yeah, it’s just amazing to have him as a friend and to have him teaching me a lot of things.”

Ultimately, Bortoleto is eager to hit the track in anger for the first time and start the racing journey for Audi in F1. Putting to bed all the theories and speculation as to where a team that only two years ago was last overall – to a team that targets contending for the world championship by 2030.

“It’s a winning brand of everything they have done in the past. So for me, it’s a big responsibility and also a big pleasure to be part of Audi.  

“Everyone is excited. Everyone is aware of the big challenge we have ahead of us. But I think that’s the nice part of it, you know? That’s we all know what’s ahead of us, we all know where we need to improve.”