Gabriel Bortoleto is one of many rookie drivers who will make their F1 debut this weekend. The Brazilian driver earned his contract with Sauber after claiming successive Championships in Formula 2 and Formula 3 – both times as a rookie.
However, being a rookie does not make Bortoleto immune to the often unpredictable F1 media landscape.
In a recent interview, Helmut Marko described the 20-year-old as a ‘B tier’ rookie. Bortoleto has responded to these comments.
Bortoleto unconcerned by Marko’s opinion
There is immense excitement across the paddock to see how F1’s latest batch of youngsters perform.
A quarter of the grid (Bortoleto, Antonelli, Bearman, Hadjar, Doohan) begin their careers as full-time drivers.
Of all these drivers, Antonelli is undoubtedly the recipient of the most media attention and ‘hype’.
In the context of his prolific junior career (before skipping F3 and going directly to F2), it is understandable the Italian is talked about so highly.
Making his debut for a race-winning team like Mercedes also adds to the special nature of his debut.
However, it was Gabriel Bortoleto who secured last year’s Formula 2 title.
He did so as a rookie, finishing the season with significantly more points than his fellow F1 debutants.
Because of this, Bortoleto is understandably not in agreement with Helmut Marko’s suggestion he is a B-tier driver:
“I think Helmut is a guy that is for a very long time in Formula 1,” Bortoleto told the media.
“He has put a lot of very talented drivers in Formula 1, in the past. But he probably put more drivers that failed to be in Formula 1.
“I have, to be honest, respect for him. for the achievements of the drivers he put.
“Like Max Verstappen, for me, is one of the greatest in the sport.
“Everyone can have opinions, we live in a free world, I think he has his opinions about me.
“I think I proved myself to be in Formula 1. I won Formula 3 and Formula 2 as a rookie.
“And I’m going to prove him wrong with time, it’s just a matter of time.”
A learning year at Sauber
To some extent, Bortoleto’s chances of making an impression in his rookie campaign are limited.
Sauber are likely to be near the back of the grid this season. The Swiss outfit would probably be satisfied if they can pick up a few points in 2025.
Regardless, with Nico Hulkenberg alongside him, Bortoleto has a very good reference to compare himself with.
As a member of Fernando Alonso’s Management programme, he is also in regular contact with the Double World Champion – who has mentored him for several years.
Elements of Alonso’s tenacity were present in the 20-year-old’s response to Helmut Marko.
His rebutle was direct, honest, yet mature:
“Nothing I can say to the media right now will change his mind, because it’s just talking and talking.
“But the only thing I can do now is head to the track and prove his argument was wrong.
“Hopefully, with time, he will admit OK – my opinion wasn’t right and he will regret what he said.
“But I’ve done this in the past as well. I’ve said things I regret, and I don’t agree with nowadays.
“I’m not going to make a big thing out of it.”
