Gabriel Bortoleto: The Brazilian Sensation Making Waves in Motorsport with Historic Championships

8 September 2025 Motorsport

Rising Star from Brazil

Born on October 14, 2004, in Osasco, São Paulo, Gabriel Bortoleto comes from a racing background, with his father Lincoln Oliveira serving as CEO and co-owner of Stock Car Pro Series in Brazil. His early racing journey began at age seven, with his businessman father providing valuable support.

Meteoric Rise Through Racing Ranks

Following in the footsteps of his hero Ayrton Senna, Bortoleto achieved significant success in international karting championships before moving to single-seaters. His talent quickly became evident as he won races in nearly every category he competed in, building experience in Italian F4 and Formula Regional through 2021 and 2022.

Historic Championship Success

Bortoleto’s dominance became clear when he took control of the F3 Drivers’ Championship, never relinquishing his lead. He started 2023 impressively by winning the first two Feature Races in Sakhir and Melbourne, maintaining high performance levels throughout the year and finishing in the points in all but two races.

His remarkable journey continued into 2024, where he achieved another milestone by winning both the F3 and F2 titles in successive years. This puts him in elite company alongside Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri, making him the fourth champion to achieve this feat in the FIA Formula 2 era.

Formula 1 Future

After his F3 triumph, Bortoleto joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme in October 2023 and completed his first Formula 1 test at the Red Bull Ring in September 2024. His impressive performances have earned him a seat with Sauber for 2025, ahead of their acquisition by Audi in 2026.

Management and Support

Bortoleto’s career has been guided by A14, Fernando Alonso’s driver management company, and his professional journey is supported by major brands including Porto Seguro, O Boticário, Banco de Brasília, and Qualcomm Snapdragon. His entry into Formula 1 marks a significant moment for Brazilian motorsport, as he becomes the first Brazilian to compete in the sport full-time since Felipe Massa in 2017.