Gabriel Bortoleto has described his first outing as a Formula 1 driver as a day to remember, despite finishing 18th on the timesheets during post-season testing in Abu Dhabi. The 2023 FIA Formula 3 champion, who steps up to Formula 1 as part of his new role, focused on adapting to the team and the car in preparation for the challenges ahead.
“Today marked my first day as a Formula One driver – it’s an amazing feeling,” Bortoleto shared, expressing his excitement at embarking on this next phase of his racing career.
The young Brazilian prioritized acclimatization during the session, working closely with his new team to build confidence and chemistry. “I think overall we had a positive testing session – I put my focus on adapting to the car, learning as much as possible, getting used to the engineers, to the mechanics, everyone in the team. It’s safe to say that we have seen a positive first day in my new role,” he explained.
Despite the step up in performance compared to Formula 2 machinery, Bortoleto was undeterred by the challenge of mastering the speed and complexity of Formula 1 cars. “Formula One cars are so much quicker; it’s definitely very different from Formula 2 obviously, but I’m looking forward to this new chapter,” he said.
Now looking ahead to 2025, Bortoleto is brimming with pride and optimism about his future. “I am even more proud to be part of this team now and excited to see what we can achieve together next year,” he concluded.
The test marks an important milestone for Bortoleto as he transitions to Formula 1, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting rookie campaign.