Fernando Alonso has claimed new Components 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto is the most effective rookie on Components 1’s 2025 grid.
Subsequent 12 months, Andrea Kimi Antonelli will make a highly-anticipated debut with Mercedes, Oliver Bearman and Jack Doohan will comply with up on their 2024 cameos with full-time drives at Haas and Alpine respectively, whereas Bortoleto has been signed by Sauber alongside Nico Hulkenberg.
On high of this quartet, Isack Hadjar is in rivalry for an RB seat if Sergio Perez finally ends up leaving the Purple Bull secure, with a call anticipated this week.
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All 5 drivers have a confirmed observe report – Bearman gained two Components 4 championships and was a race winner in Components 3 and Components 2, whereas Doohan and Hadjar completed within the F2 standings’ high three. A champion in 4 single-seater championships, Antonelli is extensively thought of a generational expertise, though he took solely sixth in his maiden F2 season this 12 months after an arduous soar straight from Components Regional.
But they don’t come near their Brazilian counterpart in response to Alonso, whose A14 Administration firm runs the teenager’s profession.
“He is the most effective,” the double Components 1 world champion stated, earlier than pointing Bortoleto’s credentials out: “He was, in his rookie season in F3, champion. He was, in his rookie season in F2, champion.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Stake F1 Group KICK Sauber C44
Picture by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
“I do know there are loads of talks in regards to the younger era – loads of rookies additionally subsequent 12 months, very gifted all of them, however the most effective is Gabriel. He confirmed it on observe with the identical vehicles.
“Clearly subsequent 12 months he’ll possibly not have the identical automobile as among the rookies, however I hope folks don’t forget that he is higher than them. He was and he’ll [be].”
Bortoleto took solely two wins in F2 this season – fewer than rivals Hadjar and Bearman, as many as Antonelli – however the Invicta racer was by far probably the most constant driver within the championship.
He completed 21 of the final 22 races within the high 10, together with the final seven within the high 5, which was key to overcoming a 35.5-point deficit on Hadjar because the title race went all the way down to the wire.
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