Gabriel Bortoleto is determined not to let Formula 1 fame go to his head, joking that his friends should slap him if he does change.
Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto completed his debut season in Formula 1 in 2025. The 21-year-old Brazilian had a difficult start, but then found his rhythm and achieved his best result of the season with sixth place at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The rookie was narrowly beaten in the team-internal duel against Nico Hülkenberg, but left a strong impression overall and received much praise. Nevertheless, Bortoleto is careful not to let the fame that comes with racing in Formula 1 go to his head.
“I haven’t changed at all,” the Brazilian told F1.com. “I think I’ve learned other things to manage my time better. But in terms of my personality and everything, I don’t think I’ve changed.”
“I enjoy making people smile and making people around me happy. I think that’s very important. I try to be that way. It’s just who I am,“ emphasizes Bortoleto, who has no intention of changing in the future.
Bortoleto has ”not been slapped in the face yet“
”I think in Formula 1 it’s very easy because you become a bit famous and then people start to change a little bit and you’re not really the same person anymore. So far, I haven’t felt any reason to change.“
”I always joke with my friends and the people on the team. I’ve said: If I ever change, slap me in the face,“ grins the 21-year-old, who secured the Formula 2 title in 2024. ”So far, I haven’t been slapped!”
Next year, however, Bortoleto will no longer be driving for Sauber, but for Audi. The Ingolstadt-based company is taking over the Swiss racing team and thus officially entering the premier class. “I’m looking forward to starting this new project,” adds the Brazilian.
“Being fully focused on next year’s project will be incredible, and the opportunity to lead and concentrate on that will be fantastic.” Let’s hope that the 21-year-old gets through his second year in Formula 1 without getting slapped by his friends.
