During the 2025 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Haas driver Ollie Bearman and Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto responded thoughtfully to an inappropriate question about their girlfriends. Both rookies have impressed this season, with Bortoleto notably improving his form after a slow start, making this interaction a notable off-track moment.
Bortoleto, who faced challenges early on and trailed his teammate Nico Hulkenberg, has reversed that trend over recent months with consistent performances. Meanwhile, Bearman has displayed flashes of exceptional speed, although errors have sometimes hindered his progress. Off the track, the two share a friendly rapport that dates back to their karting days.
The pair have received strong support from their families and girlfriends, who have been visible figures during race weekends. When an interviewer asked them if they had “normal girlfriends,” implying they were not models or influencers like others in the paddock, Bearman responded with a light-hearted remark:
“Oh, that’s mean,”
Bortoleto quickly added:
“Yeah, exactly. What do you mean by that?” —Gabriel Bortoleto, Kick Sauber Driver
Bearman then jokingly concluded:
“Tell them that,”
Their composed and respectful handling of the question reached beyond the immediate moment, offering a glimpse of their maturity. Bearman is currently dating Alicia Torriani, while Bortoleto’s partner is fellow Brazilian Isabella Bernardini.
Ollie Bearman Reflects on Monza‘s Friday Practice
Ollie Bearman shared an optimistic update following the Friday Practice sessions at Monza, noting steady progress with the Haas VF-25. He finished 19th in FP1 and improved to 14th in FP2 as the car’s performance developed through the day’s work.
Speaking with F1.com, Bearman described his experience:
“It was a good day overall, and we improved a lot from FP1 to FP2. In FP1, I personally struggled a lot with the car, especially in the low-speed corners, which is obviously quite important on a track like this. In FP2, we made a big step in car feeling and confidence levels, so that was positive, and we’ll try to make a few more steps before the race.” —Ollie Bearman, Haas F1 Driver
“I was struggling a little bit in Parabolica with car balance; the wind wasn’t in our favour, so that was the biggest time loss. It looks like we’re lacking on the straights, and I’m not sure what we can do about that, but we’ll work overnight to see how we can improve.” —Ollie Bearman, Haas F1 Driver
The team plans to address the straight-line speed disadvantage overnight, recognizing its impact on qualifying and race pace. This focused approach reflects Bearman’s realistic yet hopeful outlook as the Italian Grand Prix weekend progresses.
Building Confidence Amid Rookie Challenges
Bortoleto and Bearman’s performances and mutual support highlight the promising future for these rookies. While Bortoleto has steadily closed the gap with his senior teammate, Bearman’s raw speed suggests potential once consistency improves. Their shared history and the encouragement from their loved ones appear to strengthen their resolve during the intense 2025 season.
Their handling of the personal question also illustrates their professionalism and ability to remain composed under media pressure. This willingness to address off-track distractions with grace may contribute to their ongoing development as respected members of the Formula 1 paddock.
