Sauber Boss Praises Bortoleto's 'Outstanding' Rookie Season

Sauber team boss Jonathan Wheatley has hailed Gabriel Bortoleto's 2025 rookie season as "pretty outstanding," highlighting the Brazilian's impressive development and maturity. Despite a challenging car, Bortoleto matched his experienced teammate Nico Hülkenberg in qualifying and scored a career-best sixth place in Hungary, proving his readiness for the team's upcoming transition to Audi.

Why it matters:

Bortoleto's performance is a critical early indicator for the Audi factory team set to debut in 2026. Securing and developing a talented, level-headed driver is fundamental for any new project aiming to challenge for championships. His ability to adapt and learn quickly suggests he could be a long-term pillar for Audi's F1 ambitions, providing stability as the team builds its new identity.

The details:

• Qualifying Prowess: Bortoleto went head-to-head with Hülkenberg, a respected qualifier, finishing tied 12-12 in Grand Prix qualifying and 3-3 in Sprint sessions.
• Technical Growth: The rookie cited the technical side of F1 as his biggest learning curve, moving from a state of "not knowing anything" about car setup to providing valuable engineering feedback.
• Boss's Endorsement: Jonathan Wheatley praised Bortoleto for "doing everything right," noting how he is building his engineering team and managing frustration maturely.
• Season Highlight: His sixth-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix stood out as the peak of a solid debut year.

Looking Ahead:

Bortoleto is poised to be a central figure as Sauber morphs into the Audi works team for the 2026 regulations. He acknowledges the increased responsibility that comes with the Audi brand but embraces the challenge of developing a new car and power unit with the ultimate goal of fighting for a world title. His progress in 2025 has laid a strong foundation for him to mature into a team leader as the German manufacturer begins its F1 journey.