Gabriel Bortoleto’s rapid development in Formula 1 has not gone unnoticed, and Audi’s racing director Allan McNish has offered a fascinating insight into what makes the young Brazilian so special. Speaking about the 21-year-old, McNish revealed the qualities that give Bortoleto “a lot of potential” as he continues to impress in his second season with the Hinwil-based squad.
From champion to F1 contender
Bortoleto arrived in Formula 1 with an enviable pedigree, having won back-to-back titles in Formula 3 and Formula 2. Those championships marked him out as one of the most exciting prospects to graduate to the top tier in recent years. But as McNish points out, success in the junior categories does not automatically translate to success in F1. It is the mental approach and adaptability that separate the good from the great.
In his debut season in 2025, Bortoleto was partnered with the experienced Nico Hulkenberg, a driver with over 200 Grand Prix starts and a reputation for consistency and technical feedback. The rookie was outscored 51-19, a gap that might have dented the confidence of many young drivers. However, Bortoleto used that experience as a learning curve, and the results in 2026 tell a very different story.
A remarkable turnaround
At the 2026 summer break, Bortoleto leads Hulkenberg 10-2 in the head-to-head qualifying and race results. That swing in form is not just about raw pace; it reflects a driver who has absorbed the lessons of his first year and applied them with remarkable efficiency. McNish, who has seen countless drivers come and go in his long career, believes this ability to learn and evolve is one of Bortoleto’s greatest strengths.
“Gabriel has shown a lot of potential,” McNish said. “The way he has approached his second season, the way he has worked with the engineers, and the way he has taken on board the feedback from Nico – it all points to a driver who understands what it takes to succeed at the highest level.”
Mental strength and consistency
One of the key qualities McNish highlighted is Bortoleto’s mental strength. In a sport where pressure can be relentless, the Brazilian has remained calm and focused, even when results were not going his way. That resilience, combined with a natural talent for racecraft, has allowed him to extract the maximum from the car on a consistent basis.
“He has a very clear mind,” McNish explained. “He knows what he wants from the car, and he can communicate that to the engineers in a way that is both precise and constructive. That is a rare skill for a driver so young.”
Learning from a veteran
Having Hulkenberg as a team-mate has been invaluable for Bortoleto. The German’s experience and technical knowledge have provided a benchmark against which the young Brazilian can measure himself. Rather than being intimidated by the comparison, Bortoleto has embraced it, using Hulkenberg’s data and feedback to refine his own approach.
“Nico is a fantastic reference point,” McNish said. “He has been in F1 for a long time, and he knows exactly what is needed to get the most out of a car. Gabriel has been smart enough to learn from that, and it shows in his performances.”
The road ahead
As Audi prepares for its full works entry into Formula 1 in 2026, the development of Bortoleto is a crucial part of the project. The team is building for the future, and having a driver of his potential at the helm is a significant asset. McNish is confident that Bortoleto will continue to grow, and that his best years are still ahead of him.
“The potential is there,” McNish said. “He has the speed, the intelligence, and the work ethic. Now it is about continuing to develop and delivering on that promise. If he does that, there is no limit to what he can achieve.”
For now, Bortoleto’s progress is one of the most encouraging stories of the 2026 season. With the summer break giving teams a chance to regroup, all eyes will be on the young Brazilian when racing resumes. If his current trajectory is anything to go by, he is well on his way to becoming a major force in Formula 1.
