Gabriel Bortoleto opens up on ‘unreal feeling’ after first Formula 1 test amid Sauber links

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Gabriel Bortoleto is a driver being tipped for Formula 1 – and he edged one step closer to his dream this week.

The Brazilian is currently competing in Formula 2 with Invicta Racing where he is second in the standings, 10.5 points behind championship leader Isack Hadjar.

Under the guidance of Fernando Alonso and his management company, Bortoleto won the Formula 3 championship last season in what was his debut season. The 19-year-old was then subsequently signed to the McLaren Driver Development Programme.

After 11 rounds of his debut season in F2, Bortoleto has won two Feature Races at Spielberg and Monza and claimed five podiums. At the Italian Grand Prix, the 19-year-old went from last to first in Sunday’s race, leaving Alonso in awe by Bortoleto’s incredible performance.

His results in F2 have caught the attention of Sauber, who are looking to find their second driver alongside Nico Hulkenberg in what may effectively be Audi’s line-up for when they join the sport in 2026.

Gabriel Bortoleto ‘super happy’ after his first Formula 1 test with McLaren

And on Friday, Bortoleto got his first taste of Formula 1 machinery as he took part in a test at the Red Bull Ring with McLaren.

Speaking with Formula Scout after the test, the Brazilian opened up on the elation of driving an F1 car.

Bortoleto got behind the wheel of the 2022 MCL36 – which Lando Norris piloted to third place at that year’s race at Imola – in Spielberg as part of McLaren’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme.

After running in Austria, Bortoleto described the ‘unreal feeling’ of driving an F1 car for the first time.

READ MORE: Who is McLaren young development driver Gabriel Bortoleto? Everything to know

“I’m super happy to finish my first ever day in FP1,” he said.

“Such a special moment for me. Since I was super young, dreaming about driving in one of these cars one day, and being able to do many, many laps like I did today.

“Learning new stuff; it’s a completely different thing [compared to] everything I drove in my life, but it’s the most unreal feeling as well. Just super happy, thanks to McLaren for making this dream come true and I hope to have another opportunity soon.”

Gabriel Bortoleto is being targeted by Sauber for 2025

Despite being affiliated with the McLaren Academy, the Woking-based squad will not have a space available until 2027 at the earliest, with Norris and Oscar Piastri tied down to long-term contracts.

Bortoleto’s future therefore will unlikely lie with McLaren, but he appears to be on the radar of other F1 teams already after his success in the junior categories.

With Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu out of contract at the end of the season, the Brazilian has emerged as a potential target for the team. Bortoleto was even seen speaking with Sauber at the Dutch Grand Prix to try and secure a spot on F1’s grid next year.

Sauber COO and CTO Mattia Binotto named Bortoleto and Theo Pourchaire as potential options for 2025 at the Monza, as well. With his impressive displays in F2 and with the title being on the cards, Bortoleto will be one to keep an eye on over the next few months.