In the midst of his impressive debut season with Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto is preparing for a career-defining moment: his first Formula 1 home race in São Paulo this weekend.
The young Brazilian has already made waves in F1, scoringso far five top-ten finishes – all coming in the back half of the season as Sauber’s car performance improved.
Brazil has a storied history in F1, producing three F1 World Champions – Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna – who collectively won eight titles. But following Felipe Massa’s retirement in 2017, the nation lacked a driver to cheer for on the grid, until this year.
Bortoleto’s arrival has reignited that flame, bringing a new wave of excitement for Brazilian fans.
When asked in an interview with Formula 1’s official website about the prospect of racing at Interlagos, Bortoleto’s enthusiasm was unmistakable.
“It will be insane man, Brazilian people are for me the best,” he said
“Obviously it's my country so I always say this, because I feel like this. I connect to them, I'm connected to my country, I'm connected to my people, they are the same as I am.
“I really want to go race in Brazil, and feel the atmosphere there, and be with the fans and everyone, definitely.”
Bortoleto clearly understands the emotional weight of the weekend, but he’s keeping his focus on delivering his best performance rather than getting swept up in the spectacle.
“Well, I'm going to give my best,” he said. “Obviously [the fans] are going to expect a lot of things and I don't ask them for less than this.
“They are fans, they want to see me winning and doing well so they are going to expect always high things about me.
“It means that they believe that I can achieve this; if they didn't expect anything from me, it's because they don't think I'm able to achieve this so I'm fine with it.
“I'm going to give my best and I will deliver the job I can deliver in that weekend.”
For Bortoleto, racing at Interlagos carries a personal resonance beyond the home crowd. The rookie clearly idolizes the great Ayrton Senna, who also hailed from São Paulo. The 21-year-old even carries his late hero’s colors on his helmet.
“Senna is my biggest idol, the guy I grew up hearing about and, again, I think hopefully one day, I can achieve a little bit of what that guy did for the sport and for Brazil and everyone,” Bortoleto said.
©Sauber
“He's an idol even after so many years since he passed away, still inspiring people. That is, I think, a goal in my life as well, to be able to be successful in Formula 1 but at the same time make something big for my country.”
With the roar of the Interlagos crowd just days away, Bortoleto’s first home race promises to be as much about emotion as it is about performance.
The young Brazilian may still be at the start of his F1 journey, but this weekend, the lights of São Paulo will shine brightest on a new generation of Brazilian hope.
Read also: Wheatley reveals the quality that’s defining Bortoleto’s F1 season
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