Gabriel Bortoleto‘s rookie season in Formula 1 has not started as he might have predicted. The Brazilian, who surged rapidly through the junior ranks, remains without a points finish after five races. Following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Bortoleto provided a candid assessment of the challenges he faces as he transitions into the world of F1.
Heralded as one of the sport’s rising stars, the Stake F1 Team (Sauber) driver entered 2025 after dominating the 2023 FIA Formula 3 championship and securing a Formula 2 title. However, a series of disappointing results have quickly tempered expectations for the 20-year-old rookie, who admits that the shift to Formula 1 has proven to be more arduous than anticipated.
Speaking to F1, Bortoleto emphasized the psychological adjustment required after years of consistent success in junior categories. In these feeder series, talented drivers like Gabriel Bortoleto are often familiar with competing at the front of the grid almost every weekend. In contrast, the highly stratified hierarchy of F1 means that even skilled newcomers must frequently endure challenging seasons at the back while accruing valuable experience.
Currently, Bortoleto and Sauber find themselves among the backmarker teams, struggling to compete and often relying on race attrition for potential points. The season opener in Australia served as a harrowing experience when Bortoleto retired on Lap 47 after losing control and crashing into the wall at turn 12 on a wet Albert Park Circuit.
While his teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, capitalized on a chaotic race to secure points, Bortoleto was left watching from the sidelines. Subsequent races underscored the depth of challenge he faces; he finished a lap down in 17th place at the Chinese Grand Prix and crossed the line in 19th place in Japan. In both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, he managed 18th-place finishes after experiencing two DNFs in each race.
As Sauber grapples with pace, Gabriel Bortoleto’s adaptation process has made for a challenging start to his F1 journey. In the most recent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Bortoleto’s struggles were again evident as he started at the back of the grid after being the slowest during qualifying.
Reflecting on his difficult beginnings, Bortoleto drew parallels with George Russell‘s rocky rookie season. Russell did not score points in 2019 while racing for Williams, with his best result being 11th place in Germany.
Bortoleto’s most notable moment during the Jeddah Corniche race came from a fierce battle with Fernando Alonso, where he nearly made contact while contending with other cars, illustrating a reminder of the rookie’s inexperience at the highest level. Ultimately, he finished in 18th place, a result partly due to an opening lap crash that took out Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly. Meanwhile, teammate Nico Hulkenberg’s P15 finish further emphasizes the separation between Gabriel Bortoleto and his much more experienced teammate.
As Bortoleto continues to navigate the challenges of his rookie season, the focus will be on his ability to adapt and improve, forging a path that could one day solidify his status as a top contender in the sport.
