Gabriel Bortoleto has reflected on his journey to becoming F2 Champion as the series celebrates its 10th season. The Brazilian sealed the 2024 title with Invicta Racing at the final round. It came a year after his F3 triumph. He now races for Audi in F1 and spoke to F2 about his time in the championship.
Bortoleto on how F2 prepared him for F1
Bortoleto stepped straight into F1 after becoming F2 Champion in 2024. He said both F3 and F2 played a vital role in getting him ready.
“It’s obviously not only F2, but F3 and F2, they are very important series for your preparation to step up to F1. You have a lot of fights and incredible races with high level of drivers and it puts you under a lot of pressure racing in Formula 2 in a series that is very important,” he stated.
Bortoleto’s advice for the next generation
The Brazilian urged future drivers to make the most of their time in the series. He believes winning the title proves a driver is ready for F1.
“My advice, first of all, enjoy it, it’s a great opportunity in life to be racing in Formula 2. Then just work hard, enjoy the moment with the team, give it your all and obviously try to win because if you win, you deserve to be in F1.”
Bortoleto on his 2024 F2 Monza victory
Bortoleto’s standout moment on his way to becoming F2 Champion came at Monza in 2024. He started from the back of the grid and carved his way through the field to win.
When asked about his favourite on-track moment from his time in F2, he did not hesitate, “Well, there is no doubt that it was Monza. I went from last to first, that was an incredible moment in my career, best race of my life and at a great track, with great fans there and all the overtakes I made in that race were super special.”
Bortoleto on his favourite memories away from the track
Away from racing, Bortoleto valued the people around him most. He credited his team and the championship staff for their support.
“I think just spending time with the team, living a little bit with them. It’s incredible to go to the track with amazing people, amazing mechanics, engineers, and learning from them.”
“Every single person from my time in F2 was incredible to me and I have learned from each and every single person on that team. Not only that but also from the administration of the F2 championship and all the staff there, they always have been super supportive of me and nice, so I have a lot of great memories.”
Bortoleto on winning back-to-back titles as F2 Champion
Few drivers have won the F3 and F2 titles in consecutive seasons. Bortoleto is proud of the achievement but wants much more in F1.
“Well, it’s obviously a great achievement. Not many drivers that have done that, so for me it’s a great title to have in my CV, but, it’s everything to prepare you to get to F1 in the best way possible and then here you need to do the job.”
“I see it as an incredible achievement I had in my career, but I’m looking forward to much more as well, so I thank everyone for the opportunity from F3 and F2, all the teams that I have been part of and every single one that supported me there and we keep pushing always and keep learning,” Bortoleto concluded.
