The 2025 Components 1 championship has witnessed a big reshuffling of skilled drivers, with a number of established names making approach for a wave of contemporary expertise desirous to make their mark within the sport.
Valtteri Bottas has shifted roles to turn out to be Mercedes’ reserve driver, whereas Kevin Magnussen will transition to racing sports activities automobiles, and Zhou Guanyu’s future stays unsure after the affirmation of the 2025 grid’s 20 drivers. It’s common for rookies to start out their careers with groups behind the grid, providing them an opportunity to be taught and develop.
Nevertheless, each Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson will embark on the 2025 Components 1 season with groups that, whereas not on the very high, possess the potential to problem for podiums, together with on the Australian Grand Prix.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ crew principal, has been cautious in managing expectations for Antonelli as he steps into Components 1. However, Wolff could privately harbor hopes that Antonelli may ship an sudden end result at Albert Park.
Alongside Antonelli and Lawson, a bunch of promising rookies can even be a part of the grid, together with Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar, and Gabriel Bortoleto. They’ll all participate within the pre-season testing in Bahrain subsequent month.
In an unusual yr, the Components 2 champion would appeal to appreciable consideration upon arrival in Components 1, with drivers like Theo Pourchaire and Felipe Drugovich acknowledging the immense problem merely to safe a race seat. But, Gabriel Bortoleto’s transfer to Sauber has garnered much less consideration, significantly outdoors of Brazil. Bortoleto’s current remarks upon arriving on the Sauber manufacturing unit have raised eyebrows, with many speculating that he could be destined for a future at Ferrari.
Followers have been fast to attach Gabriel Bortoleto’s obvious affinity for Ferrari to his current feedback. When requested about his favourite F1 circuit, he named Imola and confessed that Piratelli was his favourite nook. Then, when requested about his favourite shade, his response was quick: ‘Pink.’ This mixture led followers to recommend that Bortoleto could be positioning himself as a future Ferrari driver.
One fan remarked, “Pink, Imola, Italian surname… Ferrari is your future!” One other mentioned, “Ferrari!” with pleasure. Different followers echoed related ideas, with one suggesting, “Gabi digging for a spot at Ferrari,” whereas one other added, “Gabi already pitching to Ferrari!” One Gabriel Bortoleto supporter even famous, “The homie likes purple like Ferrari?” and one other claimed, “However in between the traces, he mentioned Ferrari is the objective.”
Gabriel Bortoleto’s rise to Components 1 has been spectacular, however it’s flown below the radar for a lot of. Successful back-to-back titles in each Components 3 and Components 2 is a rare achievement and infrequently indicators a robust future in F1.
Drivers reminiscent of George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri, who adopted related paths, have all gone on to realize success, with Leclerc beginning at Sauber earlier than becoming a member of Ferrari, and Russell spending three years at Williams earlier than transferring to Mercedes.
Gabriel Bortoleto could face challenges just like these of Leclerc and Russell, as Sauber is predicted to as soon as once more end on the backside of the Constructors’ Championship. Nevertheless, Bortoleto’s focus might be on getting as shut as doable to his skilled teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, and utilizing the consistency that gained him the F2 title final yr to show his skill in Components 1.
Fernando Alonso, a seasoned determine within the sport, has expressed his perception that Gabriel Bortoleto has the potential to succeed. Nevertheless, Gabriel Bortoleto’s success could rely upon Audi’s impending takeover of Sauber, which may present the crew with the mandatory assets to turn out to be extra aggressive.
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