Fernando Alonso absolutely loved what 2025 Sauber hopeful did at Monza on Sunday

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The Italian Grand Prix was not a happy weekend for Aston Martin but Fernando Alonso at least enjoyed one thing he saw at Monza.

Aston Martin failed to score a point once again this season with Fernando Alonso missing out by the cruellest of margins.

Kevin Magnussen picked up a ten-second penalty for a collision with Pierre Gasly.

Magnussen has since been handed a one-race ban but it meant that he had to try and nail a one-stop strategy to score points for Haas.

Alonso was chasing the Dane down but missed out on finishing in the top ten by less than two-tenths of a second.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

His teammate Lance Stroll finished last after trying a bizarre three-stop strategy that saw him finish behind the two Saubers.

While Aston Martin will be once again left questioning what’s going wrong this season, Alonso did at least enjoy a silver lining at Monza.

The Spaniard backs F2 driver Gabriel Bortoleto and the McLaren junior driver had a Feature Race to remember on Sunday morning.

He went from last to first to win a memorable race and keep himself in contention to win the championship.

Bortoleto has held talks with Sauber about their vacant 2025 seat and it looks as though if it was up to Alonso, he would be racing alongside him on the grid next season.

Fernando Alonso loved Gabriel Bortoleto’s Formula 2 performance at Monza

Bortoleto took to Instagram to celebrate an incredible result where he benefitted from a well-timed safety car to take the lead of the race.

While that might have helped him, once he was in clear air he was easily the fastest driver on the track and is now just 11.5 points behind rival Isack Hadjar.

Talking about his amazing race, Bortoleto said: “There are no words to describe the emotion of this victory. From last to first!

“Thank you @invictaracing for the perfect car you gave me, thank you to my family and sponsors for always being with me.

Today, however, I dedicate this victory to all the fans, everyone who supports me, everyone who has sent me super energy with incredible messages this weekend… Today’s victory belonged to all of you!”

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2

Alonso replied with a host of star-eyed emojis and applauded the young Brazilian.

F2 rival Richard Verschoor said: “Gabriel, you are a legend mate. You deserve this,” while Red Bull junior Pepe Marti added: Congratulations @gabrielbortoleto_”

Who will Sauber choose for their 2025 Formula 1 seat?

New Audi boss Mattia Binotto has an important decision to make on his second driver for next year and will want to secure his line-up sooner rather than later.

Valtteri Bottas is in pole position to retain his seat given his experience.

However, Bottas hasn’t agreed to a contract length with Sauber which could open the door to another driver.

Ted Kravitz believes Zhou Guanyu’s time in F1 is ending which means if Bottas can’t agree a deal, a rookie could earn that spot on the grid.

Bortoleto isn’t in the Sauber academy but McLaren may have trouble standing in his way given how settled their driver line-up is.

The Brazilian’s impressive F2 form makes him a difficult candidate to ignore at this stage of proceedings.