Bortoleto spoke about the wise advice he received from Alonso.

      Gabriel Bortoleto has repeatedly said that Fernando Alonso often helped him, constantly supporting him since the junior categories and also providing advice that still helps the Brazilian driver now that he races in Formula 1.

      In 2025 Gabriel is in his debut season with Sauber and has shown decent pace — in 11 of the 20 qualifying sessions held so far he outqualified Nico Hülkenberg, his experienced teammate. He has gradually adapted to the Swiss team's car, which is not particularly effective, and has scored points in five of the last ten races.

      Bortoleto's career is managed by A14 Management, Alonso's company, and the 21-year-old told the story of a voice message he received from the two-time world champion in 2023.

      At the start of that season Gabriel claimed two victories — which remained his only such achievements in F3 — yet that did not prevent him from becoming the series champion at the first attempt, as he was more consistent than his rivals.

      "Honestly, when I was in F3, things never really went badly for me," Bortoleto told RacingNews365. "Although after the first two rounds I no longer won races, I was still getting on the podium, finishing in the top five and scoring plenty of points.

      I remember Fernando sent me a long voice message in which he said: 'Don't expect to win at every round of the season. At some point your level of results will drop, that's natural, but you mustn't hang your head — you have to keep working and give it your all.'

      The point is that when you get used to winning, regularly reaching the podium and scoring points, if your level of results drops, difficulties inevitably begin."

      In the end Bortoleto first became Formula 3 champion, and the following year won the Formula 2 title, after which he signed a contract with Sauber. Since these arrangements are long-term, Gabriel will remain with the Swiss team in 2026, when it gains works status and will be called Audi F1 Team.