Ralf Schumacher thinks Gabriel Bortoleto could have a good career in Formula 1 – but his biggest problem in 2025 could be an uncompetitive car
Will Gabriel Bortoleto be the next whiz kid in Formula 1? At least Ralf Schumacher can imagine that the Brazilian, who will move up to the premier class in 2025 and become Nico Hülkenberg’s teammate at Sauber, can have a successful career.
“I think it’s very good that Sauber is breaking new ground,” emphasizes the expert at Sky and explains that he thinks it’s good “to give young drivers a chance.” Bortoleto only celebrated his 20th birthday in October and will therefore be one of the youngest drivers on the grid in 2025.
“It’s clear, of course: if a driver is on the market who won Formula 3 at the first attempt and is leading in Formula 2 [in the 2024 championship], then we are at a similar level to that of Oscar Piastri,” says Schumacher in praise.
In fact, the careers of Bortoleto and Piastri in the junior series are quite similar. The Australian won Formula 3 in 2020 in his first year, and Formula 2 a year later. Bortoleto could repeat exactly that in 2023 and 2024.
With two race weekends remaining in the current season, the Brazilian leads the overall Formula 2 standings. However, there is also a crucial difference between Piastri and Bortoleto when it comes to their Formula 1 debuts.
Bortoleto: Bad car the biggest challenge?
Because while Piastri had a car that was regularly good for podiums in his first Formula 1 season with McLaren in 2023, this will most likely not be the case for Bortoleto. Schumacher also warns against this.
“The car is really terrible at the moment and always at the back,“ the expert reminds us. After all, Sauber is currently last in the world championship and has not yet scored a single point after 21 races this season. So we shouldn’t expect miracles from Bortoleto 2025.
”You always have to grow with your tasks,” explains Schumacher, emphasizing: ”Formula 1 is no walk in the park. You saw that with Piastri. It’s not that easy.” Nevertheless, Bortoleto has laid the foundation for this with his good results in the junior classes.
Regarding the pairing with Hülkenberg, Schumacher also says: ‘It can be a very good mix.’ The German ”is a great asset for Audi in development, where you know what you have, where you can rely on him.”
“On the other hand, a young man who can gain experience, learn. Especially long runs, saving tires,” explains Schumacher, who also welcomes the current youth trend in Formula 1.
Schumacher: ‘The impatience used to be greater’
In addition to Bortoleto, Andrea Kimi Antonelli (18 years old), Oliver Bearman (19) and Jack Doohan (21) will also get a regular cockpit in the premier class in 2025. In addition, Liam Lawson (22) and Franco Colapinto (21) have already been promoted to Formula 1 during the course of this season.
“Now the [young drivers] are coming out of Formula 2 so well prepared, it’s just incredible,” says Schumacher, pleased. ‘With Piastri, it started a bit like that. […] Colapinto gave it one last push.’
“It’s nice that it’s happening this way,” said the six-time Grand Prix winner, who believes that some older drivers have had a chance for long enough. “The impatience was greater in the past. If someone didn’t perform, they were replaced more quickly,” he recalls.
“There are a few names that are doing the rounds here. Under other team bosses, they wouldn’t have been allowed to drive for so long,” Schumacher is sure. That’s why it’s ‘nice’ to give young drivers a chance again.
