Bortoleto impresses Sauber with obsessive work in simulator

Sauber “hugely encouraged” by Bortoleto’s rookie campaign

On paper, the 2025 season was supposed to be an awkward transitional year for Sauber. After barely scoring points in 2024, this year presented itself as a chance to concentrate their resources on the new regulations.

Sauber’s chances of competing for anything meaningful were downplayed, with more emphasis placed on Audi’s debut in 2026.

Of course, things have not gone according to this script. Since introducing a series of upgrades at the Spanish GP, Jonathan Wheatley’s team has been consistently fighting for points.

Nico Hulkenberg even managed to grab a podium in Silverstone, a result which – though influenced by circumstance – was only possible due to the German driver’s strong pace in both wet and dry conditions.

Since this top three result (the team’s first since Kobayashi in 2012), it is Gabriel Bortoleto who has emerged as the top performer at Sauber. With a winning qualifying record against Hulkenberg and impressive points tally, the Brazilian can be satisfied with his campaign.

His team principal Jonathan Wheatley certainly is, with the former Red Bull engineer revealing some of Bortoleto’s best qualities:

“I think it’s the maturity that I’ve been the most surprised by. When you consider his age, the way he handles things – the frustration, the natural things you’d imagine from a driver in his first season – he handles them with such maturity.

“I’ve talked before about his work ethic. If he can be in the simulator, he’s in the simulator. If he can be on a simulator, he’s on a simulator.

“And I think on top of that, the way he’s knitting his engineering team around him – the way they’re working together – is hugely encouraging as well.”

A chance for upward mobility in 2026

Next year’s fresh regulations will see Audi debut their first ever F1 engines. The team’s transition into a manufacturer team brings opportunity and pressure in equal measure – and 2026 will be the first test.

Mattia Binotto has been working behind the scenes to help assemble Audi’s engine department into an effective unit. In terms of personnel and infrastructure, the German brand should be in a solid enough position next season.

The bigger uncertainty is whether they are capable of matching the results of more experienced manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari.

Directly linked to their performance will be how easily they can retain their current driver line-up. Throughout the year, Sauber have benefited from the services of two drivers that bring a combination of speed, youth and experience.

However, should Audi fail to deliver, someone like Gabriel Bortoleto could be highly sought after in the market. The Brazilian has already been linked to top teams earlier this season, and there will be no shortage of openings over the next twelve months.

If Bortoleto can maintain his trajectory, 2026 could become a very busy year in terms of contract negotiations.