The 2025 System 1 championship has witnessed a major reshuffling of skilled drivers, with a number of established names making method for a wave of contemporary expertise wanting to make their mark within the sport.
Valtteri Bottas has shifted roles to turn into Mercedes’ reserve driver, whereas Kevin Magnussen will transition to racing sports activities automobiles, and Zhou Guanyu’s future stays unsure after the affirmation of the 2025 grid’s 20 drivers. It is not uncommon for rookies to start out their careers with groups in the back of the grid, providing them an opportunity to be taught and develop.
Nonetheless, each Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson will embark on the 2025 System 1 season with groups that, whereas not on the very prime, possess the potential to problem for podiums, together with on the Australian Grand Prix.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ crew principal, has been cautious in managing expectations for Antonelli as he steps into System 1. However, Wolff might privately harbor hopes that Antonelli may ship an sudden outcome at Albert Park.
Alongside Antonelli and Lawson, a gaggle of promising rookies may also be part of the grid, together with Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar, and Gabriel Bortoleto. They are going to all participate within the pre-season testing in Bahrain subsequent month.
In an strange yr, the System 2 champion would entice appreciable consideration upon arrival in System 1, with drivers like Theo Pourchaire and Felipe Drugovich acknowledging the immense problem merely to safe a race seat. But, Gabriel Bortoleto’s transfer to Sauber has garnered much less consideration, significantly exterior of Brazil. Bortoleto’s latest remarks upon arriving on the Sauber manufacturing unit have raised eyebrows, with many speculating that he may be destined for a future at Ferrari.
Followers have been fast to attach Gabriel Bortoleto’s obvious affinity for Ferrari to his latest feedback. When requested about his favourite F1 circuit, he named Imola and confessed that Piratelli was his favourite nook. Then, when requested about his favourite colour, his response was instant: ‘Crimson.’ This mixture led followers to counsel that Bortoleto may be positioning himself as a future Ferrari driver.
One fan remarked, “Crimson, Imola, Italian surname… Ferrari is your future!” One other stated, “Ferrari!” with pleasure. Different followers echoed related ideas, with one suggesting, “Gabi digging for a spot at Ferrari,” whereas one other added, “Gabi already pitching to Ferrari!” One Gabriel Bortoleto supporter even famous, “The homie likes purple like Ferrari?” and one other claimed, “However in between the strains, he stated Ferrari is the purpose.”
Gabriel Bortoleto’s rise to System 1 has been spectacular, nevertheless it’s flown underneath the radar for a lot of. Profitable back-to-back titles in each System 3 and System 2 is a unprecedented achievement and sometimes indicators a robust future in F1.
Drivers equivalent to George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri, who adopted related paths, have all gone on to attain success, with Leclerc beginning at Sauber earlier than becoming a member of Ferrari, and Russell spending three years at Williams earlier than shifting to Mercedes.
Gabriel Bortoleto might face challenges just like these of Leclerc and Russell, as Sauber is anticipated to as soon as once more end on the backside of the Constructors’ Championship. Nonetheless, Bortoleto’s focus will probably be on getting as shut as attainable to his skilled teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, and utilizing the consistency that gained him the F2 title final yr to show his skill in System 1.
Fernando Alonso, a seasoned determine within the sport, has expressed his perception that Gabriel Bortoleto has the potential to succeed. Nonetheless, Gabriel Bortoleto’s success might rely on Audi’s impending takeover of Sauber, which may present the crew with the required assets to turn into extra aggressive.
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