Bortoleto Faces Challenges in Rookie F1 Season
Analysis of Gabriel Bortoleto’s Transition from Lower Formulae to Formula 1
Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto is navigating a demanding rookie season in Formula 1 following his back-to-back championship victories in Formula 2 and Formula 3. Currently racing for Sauber, Bortoleto has discovered that the challenges extend beyond mastering new circuits; he cites increased media and sponsorship commitments as significant hurdles.
“I think the media. In F2, you don’t have any of these things,” Bortoleto explained. "You arrive, talk to your engineers, have your free time, and focus solely on racing. In F1, there are many more commitments to attend, for sponsors and media."
Despite these added pressures, Bortoleto has managed to secure multiple Q2 appearances, with his standout performance being a 12th-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he started and finished in the same position.
Bortoleto acknowledges that adapting to the F1 lifestyle has been a learning curve. “In a few months of racing in Formula 1, you need to get used to all this media and time allocation,” he noted. He reflected on the tighter schedules that limit downtime, saying, “You have a time to arrive, a time to talk to your engineer, and if you go one minute late, you’re pulled away for media responsibilities.”
As he continues to acclimate to the fast-paced demands of the sport, Bortoleto remains optimistic about his progress. “I think every race I have been doing this year, I have been getting more and more used to it. I’ve been dealing with it quite well so far,” he stated.
