Gabriel Bortoleto determined to stay grounded as Formula 1 spotlight grows

Gabriel Bortoleto says the fastest way to keep his feet on the ground in Formula 1 is surprisingly simple: honest friends and a sense of humour. As the Brazilian rookie settles into life at the top of motorsport, he has already made it clear that he has no intention of letting fame or status change who he is. In fact, he jokes that he has given those closest to him full permission to remind him of himself in the most direct way possible.

“If one day I change, you slap me in the face,” Bortoleto laughed when reflecting on his rapid rise to Formula 1. “So far, I’ve not had any slaps.”

At just 21, Bortoleto has arrived in F1 with momentum, confidence and a reputation as one of the most level-headed young drivers on the grid. After winning the 2024 Formula 2 championship and stepping up with Sauber for the 2025 season, he has entered a world of attention, expectation and pressure. Yet those who know him insist that, beneath the helmet, very little has changed.

From Formula 2 champion to Formula 1 rookie

Bortoleto’s route to Formula 1 has been impressive but demanding. The 2024 Formula 2 title marked him out as a driver with intelligence, consistency and calm under pressure. Rather than relying on raw aggression alone, he built his championship on smart race management and an ability to score points even on difficult weekends.

That approach has translated well to Formula 1. Joining Sauber for his rookie season, Bortoleto has been paired with one of the most experienced drivers in the paddock, Nico Hulkenberg. For a young driver, that can be an intimidating environment. Instead, Bortoleto has embraced the challenge, quietly earning respect within the team.

What stands out is not just his driving, but his attitude. While the spotlight inevitably grows brighter after a championship win, Bortoleto has shown little interest in changing his personality to match his new status.

“I didn’t change at all,” he told F1.com. “I think I’ve learned different things to manage my time better. But as my personality and everything, I don’t think I’ve changed.”

Why staying the same matters to Bortoleto

For Bortoleto, staying grounded is not a marketing line or a rehearsed soundbite. It is something he clearly values on a personal level. He speaks openly about enjoying the company of others and taking genuine pleasure in lifting the mood of those around him.

“I enjoy making people smile and people happy around me,” he explained. “I think that’s very important. I try to be like that. It’s just who I am.”

In Formula 1, where egos can grow quickly and isolation is common, that mindset can be rare. Bortoleto is well aware of how easily success can distance drivers from their roots.

“I think in F1, it’s very easy because you become a bit famous and then people start to change a bit and not really be the same person anymore,” he said. “I don’t feel a reason so far to change.”

That awareness is telling. Bortoleto is not pretending the risk does not exist. Instead, he has actively built a support system that will keep him accountable if things ever start to drift.

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

‘Slap me if I change’ – humour as a grounding tool

The now well-known comment about being “slapped” by his friends may sound light-hearted, but it reveals something deeper about how Bortoleto views fame. He wants people around him who are honest, not impressed by titles or TV exposure.

“I always joke with my friends and people even in the team,” he said. “I said, if one day I change, you slap me in the face.”

It is the kind of remark that could only come from someone comfortable with himself. Rather than fearing criticism, Bortoleto welcomes it. In his mind, those who truly care about him are the ones most likely to tell him uncomfortable truths.

“So far, I have not had any slaps,” he added with a smile.

Learning without losing yourself

While Bortoleto insists his personality has stayed the same, he does acknowledge that Formula 1 has forced him to mature in practical ways. The calendar is relentless, media duties are constant, and the demands on a modern F1 driver go far beyond race weekends.

“I’ve learned different things to manage my time better,” he admitted.

That distinction is important. Growth, in Bortoleto’s view, does not mean changing who you are. It means adapting to new responsibilities without sacrificing core values. So far, he believes he has struck that balance.

Working alongside Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber

One of the stabilising influences in Bortoleto’s rookie season has been his partnership with Nico Hulkenberg. The German’s experience offers a reference point both on and off the track, and Bortoleto has spoken privately about how valuable that relationship has been.

Rather than seeing Hulkenberg as a benchmark he must beat at all costs, Bortoleto has approached the pairing as a learning opportunity. That maturity has helped him integrate smoothly into the team and avoid the kind of internal pressure that can overwhelm young drivers.

Sauber, meanwhile, have been encouraged by his attitude. For a team preparing for major change, having a young driver who is open, calm and focused on long-term development is a significant asset.

Looking ahead to Audi’s arrival in Formula 1

The future is particularly exciting for Bortoleto because Sauber will officially transition into the Audi Formula 1 team in 2026. It is a rare opportunity to grow alongside a manufacturer project from its early stages, and Bortoleto is clearly energised by the prospect.

“I’m excited to start this new project,” he said. “To be fully focused on the project for next year, that will be incredible.”

The team, led by Jonathan Wheatley, has retained both Bortoleto and Hulkenberg as it prepares for the rebrand. That continuity suggests trust, and for Bortoleto it represents both stability and responsibility.

“To be able to lead that and focus for next year will be incredible,” he added.

Pressure, patience and perspective

With Audi’s backing comes expectation. Bortoleto understands that the scrutiny will increase as the project gathers pace. Yet if his words are anything to go by, he intends to face that pressure the same way he has approached every step so far: calmly, honestly and without pretending to be someone else.

Formula 1 has a habit of exposing pretence. Drivers who lose touch with their roots often struggle when results dip. Bortoleto’s insistence on staying the same person, surrounded by people who keep him grounded, could prove just as important as raw speed in the years ahead.

A refreshing presence in the modern F1 paddock

In an era of polished media training and carefully managed images, Bortoleto’s openness feels refreshing. His willingness to joke about fame, admit vulnerability and lean on his inner circle paints the picture of a driver comfortable in his own skin.

Whether or not he becomes a future race winner or world champion remains to be seen. What already seems clear is that Gabriel Bortoleto is determined to enjoy the journey without losing himself along the way.

And if Formula 1 ever does start to change him, he knows exactly who to call.