Bortoleto Earns 'Professor' Praise in Amelia Dimoldenberg YouTube Appearance

Audi Formula 1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto swapped his race car for an Audi RS 5 Avant during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend to feature on Amelia Dimoldenberg's hit YouTube series, Passenger Princess. The Brazilian rookie took his role as driving instructor seriously, teaching the presenter speed control and apex technique while opening up about pre-race nerves, childhood sacrifices, and his discomfort riding in the passenger seat.

Why it matters:

Formula 1's push into mainstream culture means platforms like Dimoldenberg's series are becoming key space for drivers to show who they are away from the cockpit. Bortoleto's episode drew strong engagement, surpassing 278,000 views and proving that authentic moments often land harder with fans than polished media talking points.

The details:

• Filmed during the Austrian GP weekend, Bortoleto guided Dimoldenberg through driving drills in an Audi RS 5 Avant, though the presenter tapped out at 60km/h, calling the experience "really intense" and deciding that speed was "probably too fast" for her.
• The conversation shifted from racing technique to personal territory, covering his life in Brazil, the pressures of pre-race nerves, and the friendships he's built within the paddock.
• Passenger anxiety: Bortoleto admitted he finds riding shotgun deeply uncomfortable, even when professional drivers are behind the wheel. "Not very comfortable. Not very comfortable," he stressed, a rare glimpse of vulnerability from a rookie accustomed to being in control.
• Fan reception: Viewers flooded the comments section with praise for his teaching style, with one calling him a "university professor" for his serious, methodical approach. Many contrasted his straightforward honesty with the sarcastic banter seen in previous episodes featuring other drivers.
• He joins an impressive roster of F1 talent on the show, including George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Ollie Bearman, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, and Kimi Antonelli.

What's next:

With the Dutch Grand Prix approaching from August 21-23, Bortoleto will look to build on a solid rookie campaign that currently sees him sitting 14th in the standings with 10 points, ahead of teammate Nico Hulkenberg. While the Passenger Princess appearance proves he thrives under the spotlight, the next challenge is translating that confidence into consistent points on track.