Bortoleto Recalls Alonso's Enduring Advice on F3 Challenges

Gabriel Bortoleto cherishes a voice message from Fernando Alonso, received during his Formula 3 season, that continues to resonate with him today. The message, delivered amidst Bortoleto's dominant start to his championship-winning F3 campaign, offered a crucial dose of reality: “Don’t expect to win every single round.”

Why it matters:

Fernando Alonso's advice highlights a fundamental truth in motorsports: even the most talented drivers face inevitable dips in performance. For a rising star like Bortoleto, internalizing this early on is crucial for long-term mental resilience and consistent development. It underscores the importance of learning from setbacks, not just successes, and adopting a mature perspective on a rookie season.

The Details:

• Alonso's Timely Message: Before Bortoleto's championship-winning Formula 3 season, Alonso, who manages Bortoleto through A14 Management, sent him a lengthy voice message. The core message was to manage expectations and understand that winning every race is not sustainable.
• F3 Performance: Bortoleto famously won the first two feature races of his F3 season but then didn't secure another victory until the final round. Despite this, he consistently scored points and podiums, showcasing strong overall performance.
• Learning from Setbacks: Bortoleto recently reflected on a challenging weekend at Circuit of the Americas, where he finished second to last. He acknowledged it as a vital learning experience, stating, “I’m happy that maybe I went through that weekend in Austin because it opened my eyes to a lot of things.”
• Perspective Shift: He emphasized that consistently good results can lead to complacency, while bad weekends force a driver to critically analyze their performance and identify areas for improvement. This self-reflection is key for growth.
• Rookie Mindset: Bortoleto, currently battling in a tight constructors' championship with Sauber, views his rookie status not as an excuse, but as an opportunity for continuous learning. He believes experience offers a different perspective on fluctuating performance.

Between the lines:

Alonso's proactive mentorship underscores his commitment to developing young talent beyond just on-track performance. By addressing the psychological aspect of competition—specifically, managing the pressure and disappointment that come with not always winning—Alonso is instilling a valuable mental toolkit in Bortoleto. This kind of holistic guidance is invaluable for navigating the cutthroat world of F1, where mental fortitude is as critical as raw pace.

What's next:

As Bortoleto continues his rookie season, integrating Alonso's advice will be vital. His ability to bounce back from difficult weekends, like his recent point-scoring finish in Mexico, demonstrates a growing maturity. This early career lesson, imparted by a two-time world champion, could be a cornerstone of his future success in Formula 1, preparing him for the inevitable highs and lows of elite-level racing.