Allan McNish gave an explanation of how Gabriel Bortoleto’s mindset makes him a quite competent Formula 1 driver.
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The Brazilian made his debut in the category in 2025 after consecutively winning the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles. And if last year he was outscored by Nico Hülkenberg – 51 to 19 –, this year he is ahead with 10 to 2 against the German.
Therefore, the Audi race director has been impressed with Gabriel’s mental ability. “He is very analytical in the way he drives and builds his speed. And I think this is evident in the way he has evolved throughout this year and also in qualifying sessions, like at Spa, for example,” he told Motorsport.com.
“In Formula 2, in Qatar, when he was leading, he entered the pits just as they were closed due to a safety car or something similar; he had to quickly get back on track and, for having crossed the white line, received a 5-second penalty. The way he kept calm and continued in the race demonstrated his emotional balance.” At the time, Gabriel crossed the finish line first, before the penalty dropped him to third, in an exciting title fight against Isack Hadjar.
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“When you have that emotional balance, combining natural speed with an analytical way of applying it, it generates great potential. And now he is also starting to evolve with experience to realize that potential. Another positive point about him is that, outside the car, he is a positive and always smiling person,” he continued.
“It is very pleasant to be with him in the team. Besides that, with him and Nico, we have an excellent balance between the two: one has the experience and naturally understands, by instinct, where the wind blows, while the other brings the enthusiasm of youth; they really complement each other very well,” he concluded.
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