Gabriel Bortoleto climbed from karting to Formula 1 within just a few years. The Brazilian from the São Paulo region won the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2023 and the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2024 before making his Formula 1 debut for Sauber in 2025. As the first Brazilian full‑time driver since Felipe Massa (2017), he drew the attention of a tradition‑rich motorsport audience. This article traces his path from the early days through the junior formulas to his rookie season in the top tier. The sections progress chronologically and place each career step in context.
IMAGO / ANP / Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) during the press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz at the Zandvoort Circuit ahead of the F1 Dutch Grand Prix on August 28, 2025, in Zandvoort, Netherlands.
Gabriel Lourenço Bortoleto Oliveira was born on October 14, 2004, in Osasco near São Paulo. He began karting in Brazil at the age of eight and moved to Europe at eleven to advance his career. Supported by his family — his father, Lincoln Oliveira, is an entrepreneur involved in management roles in the Brazilian Stock Car Pro Series — he quickly produced international results. In 2018, he finished third in both the European and World Karting Championships (Junior) and was runner‑up in the WSK Super Master Series and the Andrea Margutti Trophy. These achievements opened the door to single‑seater racing.
In 2020, Bortoleto debuted in the Italian Formula 4 Championship with Prema. The series is regarded as one of Europe’s strongest entry platforms, and he adapted quickly. By the fourth race weekend at Mugello, he had claimed his first win, having already secured podiums at the same venue. He ended the season fifth overall — a solid result against teammates such as champion Gabriele Minì and Sebastián Montoya. The foundation for the next step was in place.
IMAGO / Eibner / Gabriel Bortoleto Oliverir BRA Prema Powerteam celebrates his first victory, Italian Formula 4 Championship, Mugello, 04.10.2020.
Bortoleto moved up to the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) in 2021 with FA Racing (operated by MP Motorsport). The switch to more powerful machinery proved instructive: consistent top‑ten finishes, a podium at the Red Bull Ring, and 15th overall. In 2022, he joined R‑ace GP — and made a clear leap. With two wins (Spa‑Francorchamps, Barcelona) and five podiums in total, he finished sixth in the standings. In September 2022, Fernando Alonso’s A14 management signed him, adding professional support and visibility in the paddock.
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire / Gabriel Bortoleto of Trident celebrates on the podium after the Formula 3 feature race at Bahrain International Circuit on March 5, 2023 in Sakhir, Bahrain. Sakhir Bahrain - ZUMAz156 0238737619st Copyright: xBeataxZawrzelx
For 2023, Bortoleto graduated to FIA Formula 3 with Trident. After a pointless sprint‑race start, he won the first feature race in Bahrain (following a time penalty for the initial winner) and then the next feature race in Australia two weeks later. From there, he defended the championship lead with steady points and further podiums at venues such as the Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, and Budapest. Although an issue at Spa brought his first zero‑score, the title was sealed before the Monza finale. With two wins and six podiums, he capped a remarkably composed debut season.
IMAGO / Eibner / Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA, Trident, 05) in the cockpit, ESP, Formula 1 World Championship, Spanish Grand Prix, Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, FIA F3 race, 04.06.2023 ESP, Formula 1 World Championship, Spanish Grand Prix.
The F3 crown paved the way to FIA Formula 2 in 2024 with Invicta Racing. After an uneven start marked by technical setbacks, Bortoleto stabilized and improved round by round. He took his first F2 feature‑race victory in Spielberg and established himself among the leaders. Monza then delivered an exceptional highlight: starting last after a grid penalty, he charged through to win the feature race. That last‑to‑first triumph earned special recognition and proved decisive in the title fight. In Abu Dhabi, second place behind Isack Hadjar was enough to clinch the championship with 214.5 points. He became only the second Brazilian F2 champion after Felipe Drugovich (2022) and joined a select group to win back‑to‑back F3 and F2 titles.
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire / Taidgh Barron / Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) of Invicta Racing 10 wins the championship amid the F2 Feature Race during the 2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit. Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates.
Alongside his F2 campaign, Bortoleto joined the McLaren junior program in October 2023 and gained simulator and test mileage (including the Red Bull Ring). At the end of 2024, Sauber confirmed him on a multi‑year deal as a race driver for 2025 alongside Nico Hülkenberg — a direct signing rather than a McLaren loan. Public endorsements, including from world champion Max Verstappen, reflected the reputation Bortoleto had built. For Sauber, the move signaled a generational shift and preparation for the planned Audi takeover.
IMAGO / Jan Huebner / FIA Formula 1, Brazilian Grand Prix from left to right: Accident Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber F1 Team) Car number 05.
Bortoleto made his Formula 1 debut on March 16, 2025, in Melbourne. He reached Q2 in qualifying ahead of teammate Hülkenberg, but retired in the race after a spin in mixed conditions. Over the following Grand Prixs, he improved step by step, helped by technical updates to the Sauber C45. At the Austrian Grand Prix, he scored his first world championship points with eighth place — the first points for a Brazilian driver since 2017. The second half of the season brought further top‑ten finishes: ninth at a wet Belgian Grand Prix, a best‑yet sixth in Hungary, and eighth in Monza. Setbacks — such as a sprint incident that compromised qualifying in São Paulo — did not alter the positive overall picture. With 19 points, he finished 19th in the drivers’ standings and was confirmed for 2026, when Sauber becomes the Audi works team.
Bortoleto follows in the tradition of Brazilian single‑seater standouts and closes the gap that existed after Massa’s departure. His rapid rise through F3 and F2 to Formula 1 points to lasting potential. The coming years in a restructured team environment will be decisive. If he continues to consolidate, he could strengthen Brazil’s presence in the top category over the long term.
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