Bernie Ecclestone names the F1 rookie who has proved he’s ‘worth his weight in gold’ this season

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Bernie Ecclestone has seen his fair share of rookie drivers come through the ranks during his time in Formula 1.

The 2025 Formula 1 season has witnessed a very strong group of rookies emerge, with varying levels of success.

Jack Doohan lasted just six races at Alpine before being replaced by Franco Colapinto.

The Alpine pair are the only drivers yet to score a point this season, and the Argentine had another tough race at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

However, there have been plenty of success stories this year as well, with Isack Hadjar dispelling the doubts Red Bull had when they promoted him to Racing Bulls this year.

Oliver Bearman has looked solid at Haas, and while Andrea Kimi Antonelli looks short of confidence at Mercedes, he already has a Sprint Race pole position and a Grand Prix podium to his name.

Bernie Ecclestone has instead chosen another young driver whom he thinks deserves a lot of praise.

Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto had his best race weekend as a Formula 1 driver at the Hungaroring.

He’s now been told that he’s ‘worth his weight in gold’ by Ecclestone after securing eight precious points for his team.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Sauber from team principal to 2026 Audi future

Bernie Ecclestone tells Gabriel Bortoleto he’s ‘worth his weight in gold’ after the Hungarian Grand Prix

Bortoleto has been in a very exciting head-to-head battle with teammate Nico Hulkenberg this season.

Hulkenberg now trails Bortoleto 8-6 in their qualifying head-to-head this season, highlighting how quick the young Brazilian is over one lap.

However, when opportunities to score points have been available, it’s been the experienced German who has taken advantage.

Hulkenberg’s podium at the British Grand Prix was widely heralded in the paddock, and no one was happier than Bortoleto with his achievement.

But the 20-year-old was imperious across the race weekend in Hungary, and despite some trouble in practice where he looked off the pace, he followed his mentor Fernando Alonso throughout the race and, after leapfrogging Lance Stroll at the start, he comfortably came home in sixth.

Speaking to the Swiss outlet Blick, Ecclestone ‘applauded’ Bortoleto’s performance in Hungary and said: “I’m glad we were able to help the Bortoleto family with their entry into Formula 1!

“The boy is worth his weight in gold!”

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto? Everything you need to know

Fernando Alonso tells Gabriel Bortoleto that he’s a generational talent after the Hungarian Grand Prix

Bortoleto has been going slightly under the radar this season, with many people instead concentrating on the likes of Antonelli, Bearman and Hadjar when considering the strongest rookies on the grid.

However, it didn’t help that Sauber were the slowest team coming out of testing, and looked destined to finish bottom of the constructors’ championship as a result.

Sauber are one of the only teams this season to deliver a truly game-changing update package, though, and suddenly Hulkenberg and Bortoleto are consistently scoring points for the team.

Alonso believes Bortoleto is a generational talent and doesn’t quite get the credit that he deserves.

Bortoleto has been told he would do a better job than Antonelli at Mercedes; such is the level of hype that’s starting to generate around the 20-year-old.

All eyes will be on Audi next year, and whether they can give the young Brazilian an even more competitive car.