Gabriel Bortoleto at Kick Sauber

Gabriel Bortoleto's 2025 debut with Kick Sauber marked a pivotal moment, not just for his burgeoning career, but as a strategic early investment by Audi in its future Formula 1 works team. As the reigning F2 champion and a McLaren junior, Bortoleto brought a significant pedigree to a team in transition, tasked with laying groundwork for a new era.

How it began

Bortoleto's path to Formula 1 was notable, culminating in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship title and subsequently the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship. His impressive junior career, nurtured within the McLaren Driver Development Programme, made him a sought-after talent. His signing with Kick Sauber for the 2025 season was a clear signal of intent from Audi, which is set to fully acquire the Sauber operation in 2026. This move positioned Bortoleto as one of the very first drivers to be explicitly chosen to represent the incoming German manufacturer. It echoed similar strategic placements of young talent, though in different contexts, such as Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing who debuted at a young age and quickly ascended.

The partnership's character

The 2025 season for Gabriel Bortoleto and Kick Sauber was defined by development and adaptation. As a rookie, Bortoleto faced the immense challenge of learning the intricacies of Formula 1 while contributing to a team undergoing significant structural changes. The partnership was less about immediate results and more about long-term growth and integration into the future Audi framework. In his debut season, Bortoleto competed in all 24 races, securing 19 points and finishing 19th in the Drivers' Championship, a respectable return for a rookie in a midfield car. This period was crucial for Bortoleto to acclimate to the demands of the sport, much like Lando Norris at McLaren grew with his team from an early stage, becoming a central figure in their development.

Key chapter in the season

The 2025 season served as Bortoleto's baptism of fire in Formula 1, commencing with his highly anticipated debut at the Australian Grand Prix. Throughout the year, he demonstrated flashes of potential, navigating the complexities of a competitive grid and the specific characteristics of the Kick Sauber C45 chassis. While the team did not achieve any podium finishes, Bortoleto's ability to consistently extract performance and contribute to the team's points tally underscored his promise. The season was a vital learning curve, providing invaluable data and experience for both driver and the engineering team as they prepared for Audi's full integration. Fans can review the comprehensive results and standings for this period via official F1 data sources like , which includes 2025 statistics.