Gabriel Bortoleto is watching two of his former junior rivals collect Formula 1 podiums while he fights for scraps at the other end of the grid. Yet the Brazilian has no intention of abandoning his ambitions – or his faith in Audi’s long-term project.
Kimi Antonelli currently leads the championship, while Isack Hadjar has established himself among the front-runners. For Bortoleto, who beat both on his way to consecutive Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles, their contrasting fortunes offer a reminder of how quickly the pecking order can change in F1.
Now 22, the Audi driver is enduring the less glamorous side of the sport, with points the immediate target rather than victories. But he believes his junior record still counts for something, and he is prepared to wait for the machinery that could allow him to demonstrate it.
“They’re the two drivers from my generation who are getting podiums,” the Brazilian told Motorsport.com. “I’ve raced against them all my life.
“The truth is that I did well against them in the junior categories, and I know what I’m capable of. But I have to be patient. Everyone has their own path. Let’s see where we all end up in 20 years.”
From junior champion to points chaser
Bortoleto’s frustration is understandable. Having conquered F3 in 2023 and F2 in 2024, he arrived in F1 accustomed to winning. The reality of racing in an uncompetitive car, however, has demanded a substantial adjustment in expectations.
“I’m very happy to be in Formula 1,” he explained. “It’s the first step towards a dream I’ve always had. At the same time, to be honest, it’s also difficult when you come from the junior categories, where you’ve been winning, and then arrive in Formula 1 knowing you can’t fight at the front.
“It’s been almost two years now. Today, the goal is to score points, and that’s not easy.”
Audi’s ambitions are what keep him motivated. Eighth in the constructors’ standings, the manufacturer is still some distance from challenging for championships, but Bortoleto insists he has signed up for a journey rather than an instant reward.
“What motivates me and keeps me going is the project I’m part of,” he added.
“I’m not in a team whose ambition is to stay where we are today. I’m in a team that’s improving every year and has a clear long-term plan. I hope that one day I’ll look back and see that everything we’ve been through helped us reach the top.”
Read also: Antonelli reveals the ‘very scary’ scenario he is glad to have avoidedThe Brazilian also understands that being part of Audi’s ambitious efforts could eventually place him in a leadership role. It is a responsibility he welcomes, although he knows that developing alongside a team in transition will test his resilience as much as his driving ability.
“Pride, yes. Pressure, no,” he said. “There will be difficult moments, there will be times when you’re not winning, and I have to keep working on my mindset, on myself, and developing as a driver.”
‘It will happen’: Bortoleto’s confidence in Audi
Crucially, Bortoleto does not regard Audi’s arrival at the front as an optimistic fantasy. He believes the manufacturer will eventually give him the tools to fight for victories — and that he must be ready when the opportunity comes.
“Because the day Audi gives me the opportunity to win, with a winning car and a winning engine – and it will happen, I don’t think it will take that long – I’ll have to be ready to show what I can do,” he said.
It is a bold declaration from a driver currently 15th in the championship, but Bortoleto knows fortunes in F1 can turn quickly. Antonelli and Hadjar may have the advantage today; that does not mean they will retain it indefinitely.
“Right now, Hadjar and Kimi are definitely closer to the ultimate goal, which is winning a world championship. But everything could change in a year. You never know. I just have to keep doing my best,” the young charger concluded.
For now, patience remains the price of Bortoleto’s ambition. He has already proved he can beat his generation’s best in the junior ranks. His next challenge is making sure Audi’s progress gives him the chance to prove it all over again.
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