Gabriel Bortoleto was crowned champion in Formula 2 in Abu Dhabi, joining an illustrious list of drivers who have won both the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles as rookies. Next year, he will move up to the Sauber team. During the FIA awards ceremony in Rwanda, the 20-year-old Brazilian revealed that he was initially supposed to sign a contract for 2026.
Young Gabriel Bortoleto was part of McLaren’s training program until recently. However, in November, he signed a multi-year contract with the Sauber team. The papayas are satisfied with their current line-up of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and see no reason to deny the Brazilian the path to Formula 1. Therefore, he was free to commit to Sauber. “We had been in talks for a long time,” Bortoleto revealed during the FIA awards ceremony in Rwanda. “But nothing was decided.” The initial plan was for Valtteri Bottas to re-sign for another year. In that case, Bortoleto would not debut until 2026. However, the Finn was keen on a multi-year deal, causing the negotiations to quickly break down.
‘The most beautiful moment of my life’
“In the beginning, there were more talks for a 2026 contract,” Bortoleto admitted. “But then things changed very quickly. When I finally got the message that I could race as early as 2025, it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. I immediately called my entire family. It was a childhood dream come true – this is what my whole family has been working towards. It was truly amazing to hear.Bortoleto is the first Formula 2 champion since Mick Schumacher to immediately advance to the premier class. The champions of 2021, Felipe Drugovich, and 2022, Théo Pourchaire, are still waiting for a chance to break through in Formula 1. History teaches us that Bortoleto will thrive at the top of motorsport. He is only the fourth driver to win the titles in Formula 3 and Formula 2 consecutively as a rookie. Race winners Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri preceded him.
Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto at the FIA award ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda.