Brazilian racing talent Gabriel Bortoleto looks to build on his impressive junior career achievements as he prepares to join Formula 1 with Stake Sauber in 2025. The 20-year-old has already matched an elite group of drivers including Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri by winning Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships in consecutive rookie seasons.

Bortoleto's success has earned him a coveted Audi contract ahead of their 2026 full-time entry into Formula 1. His arrival marks the return of a Brazilian driver to the grid for the first time since 2017, representing significant progress for South American motorsport.

"They are all F1 race winners, so for me it's a privilege to be around these names," says Bortoleto about his predecessors who achieved similar junior category success. "That's obviously one of my targets, to represent my country in F1 and to win races and hopefully championships one day there."

The young Brazilian acknowledges the challenges faced by drivers from his country, particularly the financial barriers to competing in European junior categories. He takes pride in giving Brazilian fans someone to cheer for during race weekends, noting: "For me to be able to give them a little bit of happiness in these moments is amazing, because if I can be part of their Sunday mornings when they wake up and they see a Brazilian driver representing them... it's an amazing feeling for me and for them as well."

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