May 1, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto (5) walks in the paddock ahead of the F1 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

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Gabriel Bortoleto Earns Praise from World Champion Mentor!

Gabriel Bortoleto is the Driver of the Day celebrating his first points with a two time F1 champion to back him up

Gabriel Bortoleto has been facing a tough season so far in his Formula 1 debut. Gabi joined F1 with Kick Sauber in 2025. He was the Formula 2 champion in 2024 coming to the grid with a lot of hype behind him. Gabi is also managed by Fernando Alonso’s driver management company. The foundation to his start was laid well. However, his season was rather meek in the machinery he was using and he did not earn any point for the first 10 races.

Gabriel Bortoleto brought a significant change to his championship at the Red Bull Ring. Kick Sauber were bringing in new upgrades for this weekend. Gabi tool full advantage of the same and drove in to claim a P8 finish in the qualifying session. He was able to claim his first Q3 in F1 and was looking forward to the race. Gabi was equally fast and efficient during the race claiming a P8 finish behind his mentor.

Fernando Alonso Congratulates Gabriel Bortoleto for His First Points

Gabi’s debut season was difficult at first but he kept up his consistency. His performance in the Austrian Grand Prix weekend was far better than any other rookies. During the race, Gabriel Bortoleto also engaged in a duel with his mentor for P7. Gabi passed him once but the Spaniard was two steps ahead taking back the position with ease.

Gabi has already highlighted Alonso’s role in his junior career. The Spaniard was the most important force behind his contracts. If not for Alonso, Bortoleto may not have found the successful teams he worked with. After the race, Alonso was waiting for Gabi to come out of his car beside him. The mentor-protege duo had a heart warming moment. Alonso congratulated Gabi ecstatically for securing his first points. Fernando Alonso was the first driver to congratulate Gabi, with Nico Hulkenberg following behind him.

Fernando is the first to congratulate Gabi 💚#F1 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/S2RLDH0cuV
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 29, 2025

Gabriel Bortoleto earned himself the Driver of the Day award with his performance in the race. Recounting his battle with Alonso, he called it his “most intense battle in Formula 1 yet“. Bortoleto is running high on confidence after his latest race. He brought forward Sauber their best result of the season yet with Nico Hulkenberg. Gabi needs to keep up such performance now that he has a competitive car in midfield. Audi’s takeover of Sauber will be an important factor in his F1 career if Gabriel Bortoleto earns himself a contract extension.

Austrian GP Results

Fernando Alonso

Formula 1

Formula 1 2025 Season

Gabriel Bortoleto

Kick Sauber F1

Rohan Singh

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I work as a Writer at The Playoffs specialising in NHL, Formula 1 and Motorsports. I got into online journalism a couple of years ago. I used to be an intern for a website managing their Formula 1 content and then I served an entire year as a contractual writer.