Gabriel Bortoleto is adamant to not let the celebrity of Components 1 get to his head, joking that he has instructed his buddies to slap him if he ever modifications.
The 21-year-old driver joined Sauber for his rookie season in 2025 after clinching the 2024 Components 2 championship. He impressed in his first 12 months within the sequence alongside his skilled team-mate, Nico Hulkenberg.
Bortoleto is eager to not let the celebrity that comes with the championship go to his head, although. “I did not change in any respect,” the Brazilian driver instructed F1.com. “I believe I’ve realized various things to handle my time higher. However as my persona and all the pieces, I do not assume I’ve modified.
“I get pleasure from making individuals smile and folks comfortable round me. I believe that is essential. I attempt to be like that. It is simply who I’m.
“I believe in F1, it is very simple since you develop into a bit well-known after which individuals begin to change a bit and probably not be the identical particular person anymore. I do not really feel a motive to date to vary.
“I all the time joke with my buddies and folks even within the crew. I stated, if in the future I modify, you slap me within the face. Up to now, I’ve not had any slaps!”
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Photograph by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Photographs through Getty Photographs
Sauber will transition to the Audi F1 crew from 2026, and Bortoleto is worked up to be a part of the brand new undertaking. Each he and Hulkenberg will proceed with the Jonathan Wheatley-led crew because it rebrands.
“I am excited to start out this new undertaking,” he added. “To be totally targeted on the undertaking for subsequent 12 months, that will likely be unbelievable and to have the ability to lead that and focus for subsequent 12 months will likely be unbelievable.”
The 2026 F1 season will kick off with the Australian Grand Prix on 6-8 March.
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