“He will be ready for it”: Fernando Alonso not afraid for protege Gabriel Bortoleto’s F1 debut

Despite the team's transitional phase, Fernando Alonso believes Gabriel Bortoleto is ready to race for Audi F1 in 2025. Speaking to media including Sportskeeda, the double world champion expressed confidence in the Brazilian rookie’s ability to adapt, even without a competitive car during Audi’s rebuilding year.

Set to partner Nico Hülkenberg in 2025, Bortoleto’s debut comes as Sauber transitions into the Audi F1 team, with major on-track and operational changes ahead of the 2026 regulations. While debuting in an underperforming car has historically hindered drivers’ prospects, Alonso believes modern rookies are better prepared to handle such challenges.

Alonso has managed Bortoleto since 2022, guiding the F2 title contender’s career trajectory. Currently leading the F2 championship by 4.5 points with two rounds remaining, Bortoleto was released from McLaren’s program to join Audi’s setup.

When asked by Sportskeeda if he was worried about Bortoleto making a debut in Audi’s transition year, Fernando Alonso replied:

“Yeah let's see I think it's a good opportunity for him. Obviously we spoke many times with all our drivers in the F4 team. The road map of you know to Formula 1 in his case obviously I think it was, it is a very good news that you know he's short cut a little bit that time and he's already in Formula 1 next year. Maybe the pressure is not huge, when you are not maybe as you said super competitive from day one. But he will obviously put the pressure himself, try to be competitive. It will be a big change from any other series to Formula 1. But we saw with some of the rookies as well, that they are very well prepared to the sport.

"So I'm not afraid that he will enjoy the experience and he will be ready for it. And you know he's very young, so for the first couple of years he needs to be passionate and he needs to be you know, learning every day because Formula 1 at the very beginning, it teaches you a lot of things.”

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Fernando Alonso feels proud to represent his generation of Spanish athletes in international sport

Fernando Alonso takes pride in representing Spain internationally and believes age is irrelevant in motorsport. Drawing parallels to Carlos Sainz Sr., who competes in Dakar despite his age, Alonso emphasized that a driver’s performance in motorsport is more reliant on the car than in physically demanding sports like football or tennis.

Asked how it felt to be the only athlete of his generation representing Spain in international sport after Rafael Nadal’s retirement, Alonso said:

“No, I mean still obviously a few of us doing what we love to do and representing Spain, but it's true with Rafa leaving now is a different generation of footballers or Alcaraz or different sportsmen in Spain.

"But yeah I don't know for us or in my case is different motorsport is a very unique sport where the machine you know is more important than the athlete so and we see with Carlos father you know in the Dakar or in any other series. So I hope I can keep making you know my country proud in the future.”

Fernando Alonso is competing against drivers born after his F1 debut, yet at 42, his ambition to achieve more remains undeterred. With his Aston Martin contract running through 2026, he will be 45 by its conclusion.

Currently ninth in the drivers’ standings with 62 points, Alonso has showcased his enduring skill and determination. The arrival of Adrian Newey brings added optimism to his aspirations for further success.