Gabriel Bortoleto, the rising Brazilian racing talent, continues to shape his journey in motorsport by learning from the enduring example of Ayrton Senna. In an ongoing quest to become a great driver, Bortoleto turns to Senna’s legacy for guidance, with the four powerful lessons he’s drawn from his hero forming the backbone of his own approach on and off the track.
The Timeless Influence of Ayrton Senna on New Generations
For many in the racing world, Ayrton Senna remains a figure whose impact has not faded. At just 21 years old, Bortoleto recognizes the profound mark left by the three-time Formula 1 world champion. As he develops his career with mentorship from racing giants like Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen, Bortoleto expresses both admiration and longing to have learned firsthand from Senna’s wisdom and presence.
“I’ve thought about that already, and it would be great,”
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi driver, shared thoughtfully.
“Naturally, I would love to have met him somehow and to talk to him. It would have been amazing to do that with my hero. But sometimes in life, we cannot have it all.”
— Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi driver. His words echo the sentiment held by many who feel the vacancy left by Senna since his loss on the track.
He adds a note of hope that surpasses even lifetimes:
“Maybe one day I will meet him somewhere else,”
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi driver, mused, keeping Senna’s influence alive in spirit.
Learning from a Legend Without Meeting in Person
Although Bortoleto never witnessed Senna compete live, he has embraced the vast reservoir of Senna’s legacy through recordings and stories from those who raced alongside the legend. From these sources, Bortoleto distilled four key values, which continue to light his path as an emerging talent:
“Discipline, dedication, intelligence, and he was a great person outside of racing.”
— Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi driver.
Bortoleto explains how these attributes form the essence of Senna’s excellence.
“If you take all of that, it made him the driver he was,”
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi driver, affirmed.
“That’s what I take from him—not only the driver he was on track but how great he was with people off it.”
— Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi driver. It is this focus not only on competitive performance but also on character that Bortoleto seeks to emulate as he climbs the ranks of the racing world.
The Unseen Value of Communication Beyond the Track
In reflecting upon Senna’s legacy, Bortoleto highlights another trait often missed: the ability to communicate powerfully with both the public and the media. Senna’s willingness to share his mindset and approach made a lasting impression.
“He tried to explain to them how he felt with the car, and to help you guys understand, which is quite interesting,”
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi driver, remarked.
“Because it’s not an easy job, what you guys do to expose to the whole world what we do as a driver.”
— Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi driver. Senna’s openness helped bring fans closer to the sport while laying groundwork for how drivers engage with audiences today.
Senna’s Enduring Legacy and Bortoleto’s Aspirations
Gabriel Bortoleto carries Ayrton Senna’s memory into each race, focusing not only on speed and results, but also on the qualities of humanity, effort, and connection. For Bortoleto, Senna exemplified what it truly means to be a world-class driver—and, importantly, a world-class person. The lessons learned from the legend will undoubtedly shape Bortoleto’s own race toward greatness, as he continues to be motivated by Senna’s timeless spirit and unwavering commitment to the sport he loved.
As Formula 1’s new era dawns, Bortoleto stands determined to honor Ayrton Senna’s influence with every lap, keeping alive the principles that defined a generation and aspiring to leave a legacy that will inspire future drivers for decades to come.
