Gabriel Bortoleto opened up about his encounter with Bernie Ecclestone immediately after the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, sharing insights into their connection and the conversation they had. The young Brazilian driver spoke with various media outlets, including Sportskeeda, revealing how his family is linked to the F1 legend through Ecclestone’s Brazilian wife, Fabiana.
Having been guided by Fernando Alonso and supported by Bernie Ecclestone, Bortoleto has made a strong impression early in his Formula 1 career. Before the summer break, the Sauber rookie achieved top ten finishes in Belgium and Hungary, ending the latter race just behind Alonso and ahead of Max Verstappen. These performances highlighted his rising potential in the sport.
Reflecting on his brief post-race meeting with Ecclestone, Bortoleto explained the familiarity between their families and praised the former F1 chief’s wealth of experience and legendary status, making every interaction valuable.
When asked about the conversation with Ecclestone by Sportskeeda, Gabriel Bortoleto said:
“Well, you know, Bernie is the guy I know. Bernie, you know, I know him, I know Fabiana, it’s, you know, his wife, and my, you know, my family knows them as well and just said hi. And then, you know, Bernie is always a great guy to talk to, so much experience and a legend of the sport.” —Gabriel Bortoleto, F1 Driver
Bernie Ecclestone’s role in supporting Bortoleto’s Formula 1 journey
Bernie Ecclestone has openly expressed his satisfaction with backing the emergence of Gabriel Bortoleto in Formula 1. The former F1 supremo has supported Bortoleto and his family in navigating the challenges of reaching the top level of motorsport, believing the Brazilian’s talents warranted such assistance. Ecclestone commended Bortoleto’s recent results as evidence of his exceptional ability.
Speaking to Sky Sports shortly before the 2024 Hungarian GP, Ecclestone commented on his support for the young driver:
“I’m glad we were able to help the Bortoleto family with their entry into Formula 1. The boy is worth his weight in gold.” —Bernie Ecclestone, Former F1 Supremo
He added further confidence in Bortoleto’s capabilities:
“You can trust him, he’s a good driver and he’ll deliver results. He did that part within Audi itself as well.” —Bernie Ecclestone, Former F1 Supremo
Bortoleto’s recent rise and its implications for Sauber and the season
Gabriel Bortoleto has amassed 14 points for Sauber over the first 14 races of the 2025 season, helping the team secure seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship with a total of 51 points. After a challenging start to the year, Bortoleto’s turnaround began at the Canadian Grand Prix, followed by consistent points finishes in Belgium and Hungary.
These strong performances have greatly increased Bortoleto’s confidence, positioning him as a key contributor for Sauber in the second half of the championship. His ability to compete closely with established drivers such as Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen highlights his potential impact on the season and the future of the team.
