Bernie Ecclestone Brands Gabriel Bortoleto as “Potential Future World Champion!”

Bernie Ecclestone bets on Gabriel Bortoleto having the potential to win the driver's championship in the near future.

Bernie Ecclestone Brands Gabriel Bortoleto as “Potential Future World Champion!”

Gabriel Bortoleto (via Goodwood), Bernie Ecclestone (via F1)

In Short
  • Bernie Ecclestone praises Gabriel Bortoleto as a potential future world champion.
  • Bortoleto achieved a notable P6 finish in his debut season with Sauber.
  • Audi is expected to be competitive in their first year in Formula 1, with closely matched teams.

The 2025 season saw many rookies fighting on track and achieving great results. It is safe to say that the sport is heading towards a new and younger generation of drivers. Many veterans, such as Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, tasted defeat against the young guns entering the sport. Now, ex-F1 Supremo Bernie Eccelstone speaks highly of the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, who heads into his sophomore year in Formula 1.

Gabriel Bortoleto debuted in Formula 1 with Sauber and will stay with the team during their transition to Audi. Certainly, the Brazilian faced a lot of difficulties in the beginning because of the team’s tumultuous state. However, Bortoleto managed performances well and snagged a P6 finish at the Hungarian GP in his debut season.

Even Max Verstappen had applauded Bortoleto’s driving style and believed that he had the potential to perform even better in the near future. Now, Bernie Ecclestone talks highly about Audi’s potential to succeed in their very first year in Formula 1. Ecclestone highlighted that the German carmaker had gathered all the ingredients to achieve a successful first year in the sport.

Further, Bernie Ecclestone revealed that all the teams were closely matched, and none of them seemed to be the clear title favorite. The 95-year-old expects Audi to be up there amongst other teams. Moreover, he reckoned that Gabriel Bortoleto would be a threat to Nico Hulkenberg in the standings. Ecclestone even claimed that Boroleto possessed great future world champion potential in him.

They have now gathered all the ingredients for a successful first year in Formula 1, All the teams are closely matched. Audi can definitely be competitive there, and Gabriel Bortoleto will be a threat to Nico Hulkenberg. He’s very fast and a potential future world champion.

Bernie Ecclestone told sport.de..

Gabriel Bortoleto reveals ‘positive feelings’ after pre-season testing

Sauber’s running at the pre-season and private testing session in Barcelona remained trouble-free for the most part. The team was able to get their car prepped much before the rivals, which is certainly an impressive feat. Moreover, both Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg piloted the challenger and achieved some good learnings from the test sessions.

Gabriel Bortoleto (via Motorsport)
Gabriel Bortoleto (via Motorsport)

Now, Gabriel Bortoleto noted that the team found many problems in the car in hopes that they do not run into problems during the later practice or race sessions. Overall, Bortoleto believed that the testing session was positive. He added that it was great to have a feel of the new car with the new regulations.

We are finding everything now to hopefully not find it in the next test or even in the in the first race of the year, Overall, I would say, when we were running, it was positive. It was good to have a feel with the new car, the new regulations, the power unit and everything.

Gabriel Bortoleto said, as reported by RacingNews365.

The 2026 season could finally witness a shake-up of the team’s standing in the pecking order. Audi could lead the mid-pack and contend with the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull at the forefront. All things considered, it will be exciting to witness Bortoleto fight with the veterans and prove his racing mettle on the grid.

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