The nascent careers of Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar present a compelling study in contrasting approaches to junior single-seater success, one defined by relentless consistency, the other by flashes of undeniable, if sometimes unrefined, speed. Both are active talents, closely watched by their F1 patrons, Kick Sauber and Red Bull, as they navigate the demanding ladder to the pinnacle of motorsport.
The eras
Bortoleto's rise was marked by a standout 2023 season in FIA Formula 3, where he clinched the championship in his rookie year with Trident. His campaign was a masterclass in strategic driving and consistency, securing two wins and six podiums without ever truly needing to dominate every session. He entered F2 in 2024 with Invicta Racing, carrying the momentum of his F3 title. Hadjar, conversely, has been a prominent fixture in the Red Bull junior programme for several years. His journey saw him finish fourth in the 2022 FIA F3 Championship, securing three wins, before progressing to Formula 2 in 2023 with Hitech Pulse-Eight, a season that proved challenging but offered glimpses of his raw speed. He continued in F2 in 2024 with Campos Racing, aiming for a more consistent performance.
How they overlapped
While their F2 careers didn't directly overlap in 2023, as Bortoleto was dominating F3, they did share the grid in the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA). In that season, Hadjar finished fourth in the standings with two wins, while Bortoleto was sixth with two wins. This early encounter showcased both drivers' potential, with Hadjar often demonstrating slightly more explosive pace but Bortoleto proving a tenacious competitor. Their primary overlap, however, is the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship, where both are competing for top honours and, crucially, a future F1 seat. This shared battleground provides the most direct comparison of their current abilities and development trajectories. Their F2 campaigns have seen them often battling in the same midfield pack, with each having moments of brilliance and frustration.
On track
Bortoleto's on-track persona is one of calculated aggression and exceptional race management. His F3 title was built on a foundation of consistent points finishes, smart overtakes, and a remarkable ability to extract performance from his tyres over a race distance. He rarely makes unforced errors, a trait that has served him well in his rookie F2 season, where he has quickly adapted to the more powerful machinery. His approach mirrors the methodical progression seen in drivers like during their junior careers – a steady, upward trajectory. Hadjar, on the other hand, is a driver of immense natural talent and outright speed. When he's on form, he can be devastatingly quick, as evidenced by his sprint race win in Australia during the 2024 F2 season. However, his aggression sometimes leads to incidents or penalties, preventing him from converting raw pace into consistent points. This mirrors the high-pressure environment often associated with the Red Bull junior system, where drivers like have faced intense scrutiny.