Gabriel Bortoleto Is Convinced Audi Will Win in F1, and He Plans to Be There

[Source: Motorsport Week]

Patience isn’t always easy in Formula 1, especially when drivers you’ve beaten on your way up the racing ladder are already celebrating podium finishes. But Audi F1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto isn’t losing sleep over the success of his former rivals. Instead, the Brazilian believes he’s exactly where he needs to be, even if it means waiting a little longer for his own opportunity to fight at the front of the grid.

According to Motorsport Week, Bortoleto remains confident in Audi’s long-term Formula 1 project despite watching fellow young drivers Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar enjoy success with more competitive machinery. And while he would undoubtedly love to be fighting for podiums himself, he believes Audi can eventually provide him with a car capable of winning races.

Playing the Long Game With Audi

Bortoleto certainly has the credentials to back up his confidence. The Brazilian won the FIA Formula 3 championship in 2023 and followed it with the Formula 2 title in 2024, becoming one of the few drivers to win both championships in consecutive rookie seasons. That success helped earn him a Formula 1 seat with Sauber, which became the Audi factory team for 2026. However, joining a manufacturer at the beginning of its F1 journey is considerably different from stepping into an established front-running team.

Audi is building its Formula 1 operation around a long-term strategy, including developing its own power unit. Competing against established manufacturers with decades of experience was never going to be easy, and Bortoleto understands that success won’t happen overnight.

Confidence in Audi’s Future

While Antonelli and Hadjar have already experienced the thrill of standing on an F1 podium, Bortoleto is focused on what Audi can accomplish in the coming years. It’s an ambitious bet, particularly in a sport where careers can change direction almost as quickly as the cars. But Bortoleto’s confidence reflects his belief that being part of Audi’s development from the beginning could eventually pay enormous dividends.

For Audi enthusiasts, that’s an encouraging attitude from one of the team’s young drivers. Building a championship-winning Formula 1 operation takes more than money, technology, and engineering talent. It also requires drivers willing to believe in the project when the results aren’t yet there. Bortoleto clearly believes Audi’s time will come. Now comes the difficult part, proving him right.