In an electrifying declaration that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Guenther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, has hailed Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto as the standout rookie of the season. This bold assertion comes on the heels of Bortoleto’s meteoric rise following his triumph in the Formula 2 championship in 2024 and his earlier victory in Formula 3 in 2023. Despite not being the highest-scoring newcomer on the grid, the 20-year-old Brazilian has undeniably captured attention and admiration, particularly from Steiner, who dubbed him the ‘rockstar’ of the recent Hungarian Grand Prix.
Steiner’s praise was not just a casual compliment; he offered a detailed analysis of Bortoleto’s skills during an episode of The Red Flags Podcast. “Because I know how good Nico Hulkenberg is,” Steiner stated, underscoring the competitive nature of the grid. “There is somebody … it’s a known quantity. He just beats him now consistently in qualifying and in the race, he did a very good job.” The former Haas principal further emphasized Bortoleto’s impressive performance, noting, “I mean to keep his position, overtaking. I mean, he did just no mistake, nothing, and the car was obviously good enough to do this, but the car was not better than him. He was better than the car in my opinion. He was giving something to the team.”
This endorsement was echoed by none other than two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who also serves as Bortoleto’s manager. After the Hungarian Grand Prix, Alonso remarked, “He commits few errors, always putting pressure. He’s the best rookie of this generation. If he was English, or something, and finished sixth in a Sauber, he’d be in all the news. What he does is exceptional.” Such high praise from a veteran of the sport highlights the remarkable capabilities that Bortoleto has displayed amid the intense competition of F1.
Currently, Bortoleto occupies the 17th position in the drivers’ standings with 14 points to his name. His performance has placed him ahead of fellow rookies Oliver Bearman from Haas, who is in 19th place with eight points, and Franco Colapinto, who has yet to score in 20th. Meanwhile, Andrea Kimi Antonelli leads the rookie standings with 64 points, sitting comfortably in seventh overall.
Reflecting on his inaugural season, Bortoleto expressed a sense of normalcy regarding the challenges and growth he is experiencing. “It’s my rookie season, it’s normal that you progress. At least for me, I’ve always been like this,” he said, demonstrating a mature understanding of his trajectory. “If you check my junior series, I’ve been a guy who has always had these types of steps in my career. But it’s also because I like to work, I like to study, I like to understand what I’ve been doing wrong and how to do a better job.”
With such determination and talent, Bortoleto is not just making waves; he is setting the stage for a bright future in Formula 1. The spotlight is on him, and fans worldwide are eager to see how this promising rookie continues to evolve in the fast-paced world of motorsport.
