Bortoleto differs from Alonso regarding the criticism of the 2026 F1 rules.
"I don’t believe we've lost the essence of the sport."
Gabriel Bortoleto has diverged from his mentor Fernando Alonso by defending the much-maligned 2026 regulations in Formula 1. Alonso sparked a debate at Silverstone by claiming that the new cars have diminished the role of driver skill, with overtaking increasingly reliant on battery usage rather than on skillful braking or cornering.
"There is no driver input or talent necessary to pass another car," Alonso stated. "You don’t need to out-brake anyone, overtake on the outside, or take any risks. You just have to push one button."
However, Bortoleto feels the criticism is excessive. "I don’t think we’ve lost the magic of the sport," the Brazilian remarked. "We’re still driving incredibly fast through Copse at 280kph, and I still have to briefly lift off the throttle there. It does feel different compared to before when we could speed through in the winged cars."
The Audi young driver believes it's time for drivers to embrace the new era. "With the 2026 cars, we've begun a new chapter," he said. "And for those still complaining, I have to say – get used to it, because these are the rules until 2030. Are we supposed to pout for three years? This is our reality now. The cars are still enjoyable; they simply differ from what we had before. We need to adapt; that's just how life works."
Bortoleto's remarks are significant since he is managed by Alonso’s A14 Management company. Nevertheless, the 21-year-old emphasized that his respect for the two-time world champion remains strong. "Alonso and A14 have been instrumental in my journey," he told Mundo Deportivo. "They provided me with the opportunity to enter Formula 3 with a good team, then Formula 2, and later opened doors for me in Formula 1. I will always be thankful to them."
He also regarded Alonso as the smartest driver on the current grid. "In that regard, Fernando Alonso is far ahead of everyone."
Other articles
Lawson tries not to pay attention to the rumors about Solov.
Nikola Tsolov is confidently completing his debut season in Formula 2 – he already has six victories and leads the individual standings. In the paddock, there are rumors that the Bulgarian driver is allegedly guaranteed a spot in Formula 1 for the next season, and he will replace Liam Lawson.
Russell: We don't know how the tires will perform in the rain.
George Russell on how challenging it will be for drivers in the rain this year...
Zhou does not rule out thoughts of returning to Formula 1.
Guanyu Zhou raced in his last Formula 1 race in 2024, and this season he regularly appears in the paddock as a reserve driver for Cadillac. Meanwhile, the Chinese driver is not giving up on the idea of returning to Formula 1 on a permanent basis and is exploring options for that.
Max Verstappen visited the Red Bull Racing base.
Against the backdrop of rumors about a possible departure from Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen visited the team's base in Milton Keynes.
Ferrari is preparing an engine update for the Spanish Grand Prix.
After Charles Leclerc's victory in Silverstone, a celebration was held for all team members at Ferrari's base in Maranello. The team's technical director Loic Serra and chief engine engineer Enrico Gualtieri spoke about the plans for upgrading the car.
Schumacher: Verstappen 'has lost trust' in Red Bull.
Formula 1 | Following the British GP, the bond between Max Verstappen and Red Bull might have hit a breaking point, as suggested by a former Formula 1 (…)
Bortoleto differs from Alonso regarding the criticism of the 2026 F1 rules.
Formula 1 | Gabriel Bortoleto has distanced himself from his mentor Fernando Alonso by supporting the 2026 regulations, which have come under significant criticism. Alonso sparked (…)