Alonso's Wisdom: How a Voice Message Still Guides F1 Rookie Bortoleto

Formula 3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, now making his way in the Sauber team, still draws inspiration from a pivotal voice message sent by Fernando Alonso during his F3 campaign. The advice, which underscored the natural ebbs and flows of a racing season, continues to resonate with Bortoleto, especially during challenging weekends.

Why it matters:

Alonso's mentorship highlights the crucial role experienced drivers play in nurturing young talent. For Bortoleto, a rookie navigating the demanding world of Formula 1, this guidance provides a mental framework to manage expectations and learn from setbacks, a critical skill for long-term success in motorsport.

The Details:

• Alonso's Core Message: Fernando Alonso advised Bortoleto not to expect to win every single round in F3, emphasizing that performance drops are natural and part of the learning curve.
• Bortoleto's Reflection: The young Brazilian driver acknowledged that while challenging, difficult weekends like the one in Austin are vital for growth. He stated, "when you have bad weekends you only look at the bad things normally, so I think it's important to have some weekends that you can look at yourself and understand what you can do better."
• Impact on Performance: After a tough outing at Circuit of the Americas, Bortoleto bounced back in Mexico, securing a tenth-place finish and scoring a point for Sauber. This resilience demonstrates the practical application of Alonso's advice.
• A14 Management: Bortoleto joined Alonso's A14 Management ahead of his championship-winning F3 season, solidifying the mentoring relationship.
• F3 Season: Bortoleto won the first two feature races of his F3 championship but did not secure another victory until the end of the season, directly reflecting the scenario Alonso had warned him about.

Between the lines:

Alonso's advice speaks to a universal truth in competitive sports: sustained peak performance is an anomaly. Recognizing and accepting this reality early on can be a significant psychological advantage for young athletes, preventing burnout and fostering a more resilient mindset. It’s a testament to Alonso's experience that he could foresee such a challenge for a dominant young driver like Bortoleto.

What's next:

As Bortoleto continues his rookie season with Sauber, applying Alonso's wisdom will be crucial for his development. Learning to convert challenging weekends into opportunities for growth will define his trajectory in Formula 1, helping him build consistency and mental fortitude against the backdrop of an intense constructors' championship battle for Sauber.