Gabriel Bortoleto, born Gabriel Lourenzo Bortoleto Oliveira on October 14, 2004, in Osasco, São Paulo, Brazil, is a Brazilian racing driver who has rapidly ascended the motorsport ladder to compete in Formula 1 with Sauber starting in 2025. At just 20 years old, Bortoleto has already established himself as a prodigious talent, drawing comparisons to Brazilian racing legend Ayrton Senna, whom he idolizes.
Known as “Bibi” among close friends, Bortoleto is managed by two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso’s A14 Management firm and has garnered sponsorships from major brands like Porto Seguro, O Boticário, Banco de Brasília, and Qualcomm Snapdragon. His rapid rise through karting, junior formulae, and now Formula 1 has positioned him as Brazil’s first full-time F1 driver since Felipe Massa in 2017, carrying the hopes of a motorsport-passionate nation.
Gabriel Bortoleto parents
Gabriel’s father, Lincoln Oliveira, is a prominent figure in both Brazilian business and motorsport. A successful telecommunications executive, Lincoln studied at FMU University in São Paulo from 1994 to 2004, initially working as a systems engineer at Novell before founding Americanet in 1996. He served as its director for 16 years and later became president, steering the company to a merger with Vero in 2023, creating one of Brazil’s largest internet service providers with a revenue of R$1.9 billion. Beyond his corporate achievements, Lincoln is deeply involved in motorsport as the chief executive officer and co-owner of the Stock Car Pro Series, a major Brazilian racing championship.
His passion for racing has significantly influenced Gabriel’s career, providing both financial and emotional support. Lincoln’s involvement extends to operating KTF Racing, a family-run stock car and kart racing team, which has been instrumental in nurturing Gabriel’s early career. While there is no publicly available information about Gabriel’s mother’s name or profession, it is known that she, alongside Lincoln, supported Gabriel’s move to Europe at age 11 to pursue his racing dreams, a decision that required significant family sacrifice. The family’s commitment to Gabriel’s career underscores their pivotal role in his journey to Formula 1.
Career
Bortoleto’s racing journey began at age six with karting in Brazil, competing in the Campeonato Sulbrasileiro de Kart in 2012. By 11, he relocated to Europe with his family’s support to chase a professional racing career, a move inspired by his idol Ayrton Senna. His karting years were marked by notable success, including third-place finishes in the 2018 European and World Championships in the OK-Junior category, as well as vice-champion titles in the WSK Super Master Series and the Andrea Margutti Trophy. In 2020, Bortoleto transitioned to single-seater racing, debuting in the Italian F4 Championship with Prema Powerteam alongside talents like Sebastián Montoya and Gabriele Minì. His rookie season was impressive, securing a victory and multiple podiums at Mugello and Monza, finishing fifth overall.
From 2021 to 2022, he competed in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, achieving his first podium in 2021 and three race wins in 2022 with R-ace GP. His breakout came in 2023 with Trident in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, where he dominated as a rookie, winning the title with two victories and six podiums, leading by 45 points. This success earned him a spot in the McLaren Driver Development Programme. In 2024, Bortoleto joined Invicta Racing in FIA Formula 2, clinching the championship in his debut season, a feat achieved by only seven drivers in history, highlighted by a historic win from last on the grid at Monza. His performances caught the attention of Sauber, leading to his Formula 1 debut in 2025 alongside Nico Hülkenberg, ahead of Sauber’s transition to Audi in 2026. Despite challenges, including a collision in his first F1 race in Bahrain, Bortoleto’s consistent points-scoring and simulator work with McLaren showcase his readiness for the top tier.
Accolades
Bortoleto’s career is adorned with significant accolades that reflect his talent and consistency. His karting achievements include third-place finishes in the 2018 European and World Championships (OK-Junior), as well as vice-champion titles in the WSK Super Master Series and Andrea Margutti Trophy. In single-seater racing, he secured a fifth-place finish in the 2020 Italian F4 Championship, followed by a sixth-place finish in the 2021 Formula Regional European Championship and three race wins in 2022.
His crowning achievements are the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship title, won in his rookie season with a 45-point lead, and the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship title, also won as a rookie, making him one of only four drivers—alongside Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri—to win both titles consecutively before entering Formula 1. His historic 2024 Monza Feature Race win from last on the grid marked a first in Formula 2 history. Endorsements from Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, and McLaren’s Andrea Stella, combined with his management by Fernando Alonso, underscore his reputation as a generational talent.