Gabriel Bortoleto, the young Brazilian driver, is facing a challenging start to his Formula 1 season in 2025, struggling to find his footing in the highly competitive environment. After a successful career in Formula 3 and Formula 2, where he clinched titles and podiums, the transition to the pinnacle of motorsport has not been smooth sailing for Bortoleto. As of now, he has yet to score any points this season, with his best qualifying performance being a 20th place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, held in Jeddah.
Bortoleto's performance in Jeddah was particularly affected by a series of unfortunate events. He missed the second free practice session due to a fuel leak, which led to his team, Sauber, having to change his car's chassis. This setback hindered his ability to accumulate the necessary laps to gain familiarity with the demanding street circuit. In the qualifying session, both Bortoleto and his teammate Nico Hülkenberg faced difficulties, with Hülkenberg qualifying 18th and Bortoleto finishing last, 20th, after spinning out on the first corner.
Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber's chief, expressed frustration over the qualifying results, stating, "We were confident about advancing to Q2. Gabriel didn't manage to get a clean lap because he hadn't done enough laps on such a demanding street circuit like Jeddah." Wheatley elaborated on the issues faced during qualifying, noting that both drivers struggled with their cars, which ultimately affected their grid positions.
Despite these setbacks, Bortoleto remains optimistic and realistic about his situation. He acknowledges that adapting to Formula 1 requires patience and continuous learning. In interviews, he has stated that he did not expect to fight for podiums or points right away, but he is focused on improving his performance with each race. He is determined to use every experience on the track as an opportunity for growth.
Inspiration comes from fellow driver George Russell, who faced a similar start to his F1 career. Russell debuted in 2019 with Williams, failing to score any points until the end of 2020. Today, he is a consistent contender for podiums and victories. Bortoleto sees Russell's journey as a motivating example of perseverance and gradual evolution in the sport. He believes that, like Russell, he can achieve his goals in Formula 1 through dedication and ongoing learning.
Looking ahead, Bortoleto's focus is on honing his skills and adapting to the competitive atmosphere of Formula 1. He understands that the road to success is long and requires patience. Both he and his team are working collaboratively to better understand the car and optimize performance in each race. The 2025 season is viewed as a developmental period for Bortoleto, where each race offers valuable insights that can be applied in the future.
As the season progresses, fans and experts alike will be keeping a close eye on Bortoleto's development, eager to see him overcome his initial challenges and showcase his full potential. With time and experience, he has the ability to become a prominent name in Formula 1.
In the meantime, the Saudi Arabian GP is set to take place between April 18 and April 20, 2025, with the race scheduled for Sunday, April 20, at 14:00 local time. As the weekend unfolds, Bortoleto and Sauber are determined to learn from their experiences and come back stronger, ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
