Gabriel Bortoleto: From F3 and F2 Champion to Audi F1 Driver

Gabriel Bortoleto represents a new generation of Brazilian talent in Formula 1. His rise through junior single-seater racing was remarkably quick: he won the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship in his rookie season and followed it by winning the 2024 Formula 2 Championship in his first F2 campaign.

That back-to-back success earned him a Formula 1 opportunity with Sauber for 2025, before the team became Audi's works Formula 1 operation for the 2026 season. Today, Bortoleto races alongside Nico Hülkenberg for Audi, carrying the Brazilian flag and the famous #5 into a new chapter of his career.

The Beginning of Gabriel Bortoleto's Racing Journey

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, on October 14, 2004, Bortoleto began his single-seater career in Italian Formula 4 before progressing through the international junior categories.

His breakthrough came in Formula 3.

In 2023, Bortoleto joined Trident and won the F3 title during his first season in the championship. Across 18 races, he recorded two victories, six podiums and one pole position.

That championship immediately placed his name among the young drivers attracting attention from Formula 1 teams.

Back-to-Back F3 and F2 Championships

Bortoleto moved to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing for 2024.

Despite being a rookie, he went on to secure the 2024 Formula 2 Drivers' Championship at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. His title followed his F3 championship from the previous year, putting him in an exclusive group of drivers who won F3 and F2 titles consecutively as rookies.

Formula 1 notes that the achievement placed Bortoleto alongside drivers such as Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar Piastri, who also achieved the same F3/F2 progression.

For Bortoleto, those results became the foundation for his move to Formula 1.

The Step Into Formula 1

In November 2024, Sauber confirmed Bortoleto for its 2025 Formula 1 lineup alongside Nico Hülkenberg.

The agreement was a multi-year arrangement covering the transition toward Audi's works-team era. Bortoleto therefore entered F1 knowing that his first season would also lead directly into a completely new manufacturer project.

His arrival was particularly significant for Brazilian motorsport fans. Formula 1 reported that Bortoleto became the first full-time Brazilian driver on the grid since Felipe Massa's departure in 2017.

Gabriel Bortoleto and Audi

The 2026 season opened a completely new chapter.

Sauber transitioned into the Audi F1 works team, giving Bortoleto the opportunity to become one of the drivers representing Audi's first Formula 1 campaign.

His teammate is the experienced Nico Hülkenberg, creating a pairing that combines a young driver coming through the junior categories with a veteran of multiple Formula 1 eras.

Bortoleto races with number 5 for Audi.

The Audi R26 Era

Bortoleto's Formula 1 career is now closely connected with the Audi R26.

The 2026 regulations introduced a major technical reset for Formula 1, and Audi entered the championship with its own works power-unit programme and new R26 chassis.

For Bortoleto, this means developing his F1 career while simultaneously being part of a manufacturer's first season in the championship.

It is a unique stage of his career: he is not simply joining an established team — he is helping establish a new identity on the Formula 1 grid.

Gabriel Bortoleto's 2026 Season

Bortoleto has continued to collect experience during his first Audi season.

As of the current 2026 championship standings, Formula 1 lists Bortoleto on 10 points, placing him 14th in the Drivers' Championship. His Audi teammate Hülkenberg has 7 points.

At the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Bortoleto finished 11th, narrowly outside the points.

The season has therefore been another stage of development as Audi continues refining the R26 and Bortoleto gains more experience at the highest level of motorsport.

Representing Brazil in Formula 1

Brazil has a deep Formula 1 heritage, with legendary drivers such as Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet and Emerson Fittipaldi shaping the country's connection with the sport.

Bortoleto has spoken about the importance of representing Brazil and has also carried elements of Brazilian motorsport history into his racing identity. During his 2024 F2 campaign, he used an Ayrton Senna-inspired helmet design after receiving permission and encouragement from the Senna family.

His arrival gives a new generation of Brazilian fans a driver to follow on the modern Formula 1 grid.

Gabriel Bortoleto Racing Suit

For fans following Bortoleto's journey, a Gabriel Bortoleto-inspired racing suit captures the look of modern Formula 1 while celebrating his Brazilian racing identity.

A motorsport-inspired design can feature:

• 🏁 Driver number 5
• 🇧🇷 Brazilian-inspired details
• ⚫ Modern black and racing colors
• 🔴 Audi-inspired accents
• 🏎️ Formula 1-style graphics
• ⚡ Professional motorsport styling

Whether you're following his Audi chapter or simply love the new generation of F1 drivers, Bortoleto-inspired racewear brings his racing story into your collection.

A New Brazilian F1 Chapter

Gabriel Bortoleto's journey from Italian Formula 4 to Formula 3 champion, Formula 2 champion and Formula 1 driver has happened at remarkable speed.

His 2023 F3 title and 2024 F2 title established his credentials before he made the move to Formula 1 with Sauber. Now, as part of Audi's first F1 works-team season, he is building the next stage of his career alongside Nico Hülkenberg.

For Brazilian motorsport fans, the #5 Audi era represents a new name carrying the country's racing tradition into the next generation of Formula 1.

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