Fernando Alonso has praised his protégé, Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto, for his “outstandingly good” debut season in F1 during his print media session ahead of the Brazilian GP.
Alonso has close ties to the Sauber rookie, as Bortoleto signed with the Spaniard’s driver management company, A14, in 2022 and has since been under the 2-time World Champion’s wing.
Since joining the grid at the start of the 2025 F1 season, Bortoleto has frequently delivered strong results, particularly in Qualifying, where he has outqualified his experienced teammate Nico Hülkenberg 11 times this season. Blisteringly fast in Qualifying, Bortoleto has also showcased his talent in the races, with a P6 at the Hungaroring, the highest finishing position to date.
“Outstandingly good” rookie season for Bortoleto
The stellar performances of the 21-year-old Brazilian during his first F1 season prompted high praise from his manager and Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso.
Alonso notes that Bortoleto has “impressed” not only his team but the paddock as well, which he deems as a “very important” task for a rookie in his first season in F1.
“Well, I think the first season has been outstandingly good for him.
“Being the first year in Formula 1, many things changed. The preparation you do for every weekend can be different.
“You need to work not with 8 or 10 people. You need to work with 100 people on track and things. So, it’s never an easy step. But I think he did really well.
“He impressed not only the team but also the paddock in general. Which obviously, on a rookie season, is very important, because you establish yourself as an important asset for any team.”
Alonso thinks Bortoleto doesn’t need to prove himself after a strong debut F1 season
With the 2025 season wrapping up in a few weeks, the focus shifts to the upcoming season and the regulation change that could bring a new pecking order and opportunities for the rookies.
Alonso believes that, given a competitive car, Bortoleto has already proven himself to be a “top driver” during his first F1 season and that the young Brazilian doesn’t need a second or third season to prove his talent on track.
“For all the rookies, it’s a special situation. Changing the regulations next year.
“They are in their team’s hands next year. If the team is performing well, they can keep growing their name in the paddock and Formula 1. And if the team is not performing, they can vanish in a way.
“But I think the different thing with Gabi [Bortoleto] is that thanks to this season, he doesn’t need to prove a second or third year at a high level.
“Everyone knows that when the car will be good, he is a top driver.”
