Ecclestone Urges Ferrari to Sign Gabriel Bortoleto: "Worth His Weight in Gold"
Why it matters: Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has strongly endorsed Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, hailing the young Brazilian as one of the grid's most exciting talents and urging Ferrari to secure him quickly.
The big picture: Bortoleto, 20, has made a remarkable start to his F1 career. He scored his first points in Austria, followed by consistent top-10 finishes in Belgium and Hungary. His pace and maturity have garnered widespread praise, including from Ecclestone, who was instrumental in his F1 entry.
What Ecclestone is saying:
- "I’m glad we were able to help the Bortoleto family with their entry into Formula 1. The boy is worth his weight in gold!" the 94-year-old stated.
- He believes Ferrari should act swiftly: "Bortoleto’s strong performances in a midfield team like Sauber should really wake Ferrari up now. The next driver question for the Italians needs to be resolved with the Brazilian."
- Ecclestone also praised Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, calling him another "super well" performing driver.
- In contrast, he suggested seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton might be "tired" and should consider retiring, stating, "He needs a rest from it for good, a total reset to do something completely different."
Zoom in: Ferrari is currently evaluating its long-term driver strategy. Ecclestone's weighty comments, especially given Bortoleto's rapid adaptation, add significant pressure and intrigue to the young Brazilian's trajectory.
The bottom line: With Sauber set to become Audi's factory team, Bortoleto's future is a hot topic. Ecclestone's endorsement signals that the young Brazilian's time in the midfield could be short-lived, with a move to a top team potentially on the horizon.