Gabriel Bortoleto expects to stay at Audi for the long-term, stating that he has a cope with the Swiss-German Components 1 outfit to cowl the following few seasons.
The Brazilian joined the group in 2025 for its remaining season as Sauber and scored 19 factors in his rookie 12 months, and throughout 2026 has scored 10 of Audi’s 12 factors. Because it stands, he sits 14th within the championship – eight factors behind Haas’ Oliver Bearman.
His Belgian Grand Prix was arguably the spotlight of the season to date, when he certified ninth on a circuit the place Audi had anticipated to battle, given its energy deficit versus the opposite top-line producers. After beginning eighth due to Lando Norris’ grid penalty, Bortoleto held onto his place and stalled out a late cost from Arvid Lindblad to safe 4 factors.
With Audi enduring one thing of a studying season because it adapts to life as an F1 producer group, Bortoleto says that he retains perception within the group’s long-term ambitions. Chatting with Motorsport.com’s Brazilian version, the Paulista mentioned that he stays tied to the group for the following few years.
“So far as I can say, as a result of it’s one thing confidential, let’s simply say there aren’t any clauses. I’ve a long-term contract with Audi. I’ve already mentioned it: I’ll be with Audi subsequent 12 months, and never solely subsequent 12 months, however for the next years as effectively,” Bortoleto mentioned.
“The intention, and I’ve at all times mentioned this from the start, is that it is a long-term undertaking. Mattia [Binotto] is at all times speaking about 2030. So let’s put it that approach. It’s a undertaking we actually imagine in. I believed in it once I joined them, they imagine in my potential, and that’s what I can say. It’s one thing long-term.
“I’m very excited. This 12 months was step one, constructing a brand new automobile and a brand new engine. Subsequent 12 months will likely be one other step, after which we’ll be capable of begin placing issues into apply.”
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Photograph by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures
Bortoleto admitted that it was not fully clear if his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg had a contract for subsequent 12 months as effectively, however he was eager to stipulate that he vastly enjoys working with the veteran German driver.Â
The 2 have developed an excellent working relationship, and Bortoleto has demonstrated throughout the previous 18 months that he can match his elder team-mate for tempo.
“I can say that my seat is secured. I’m not going to speak about different individuals’s contracts, however I actually get pleasure from working with Nico,” he added.
“That’s one thing I need to say and make very clear. He’s a man I actually like. He’s quick, skilled and brings a number of optimistic issues to the group, and we’ll see what the longer term holds.
“However I’m pleased. I imagine in myself and I imagine in my potential.”
Bortoleto “completely totally different” after rookie season
Talking about his personal improvement, Bortoleto felt that he had grown considerably as a driver since making his debut final season. On successful 2024’s Components 2 title on the first time of asking, Bortoleto was in demand – and Sauber/Audi agreed to spring him from his McLaren improvement deal to drive in 2025.
Since he’d solely been a part of McLaren’s driver improvement programme for a 12 months, he’d had only a few alternatives to drive an F1 automobile; his TPC Â [Testing of Previous Cars] run in Austria in 2024 being his solely significant run earlier than leaping into the Sauber in Abu Dhabi’s post-season check.
Bortoleto felt that he was “very uncooked” when he obtained to F1, and was thrust upon a steep improvement curve via the opening section of 2025.
“[I’m] completely totally different. I arrived in F1 very uncooked. Every little thing occurred in a short time. My alternative in F1 got here from one second to the following. I had barely achieved any testing, not even TPC.
“I principally needed to go straight into an F1 season, do pre-season testing in Bahrain, and that was it. So the quantity I discovered all year long was large. I’m nonetheless studying loads. I’ve had a group that has supported me all the best way.
“We had some nice moments final 12 months. Up to now this 12 months, I’m additionally very proud of my season. We’ve achieved a number of issues collectively and we’re making the automobile increasingly aggressive.”
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– The Motorsport.com Staff