Invicta Racing driver and current FIA Formula 2 points leader Gabriel Bortoleto will race in Formula 1 for 2025 with Sauber, completing his rapid journey to the top level of motorsport.
The Brazilian driver has stormed through the junior single seater ranks in recent years, clinching the FIA Formula 3 title at the first attempt and carrying that momentum into F2, where he currently leads the way with Invicta with two rounds to go.
Currently backed by McLaren, Gabriel will join the experienced Nico Hulkenberg at the Hinwil-based team which will become the Audi works effort for 2026 ahead of a major rule change.
Invicta has proven its quality in developing F1 talent in recent years. Gabriel will join fellow 2025 rookie Jack Doohan and Zhou Guanyu as a graduate to the top level of motorsport via the Norfolk-based team, with Felipe Drugovich and Callum Ilott also recent drivers to have significant involvement with F1 outfits.
Gabriel will join an illustrious list of Brazilian drivers to race in F1. The country has clinched eight world titles and over 100 Grands Prix victories. However, it has not had a full-time driver since 2017.
Additional rookies on the grid next year will be Gabriel’s fellow F2 competitors Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, racing for Haas and Mercedes respectively, while Doohan will take a seat at Alpine.
Gabriel will continue to race with Invicta until the end of the year, where he will be chasing the F2 title as a rookie with an advantage of 4.5 points over Isack Hadjar, with rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi still to run. The team is also pursuing the Teams’ Championship, which it leads as the season nears its end.
You can find out more about Gabriel’s career to date HERE.
