Gabriel Bortoleto has enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign in Formula 2 after winning the FIA F3 championship last year.
The Brazilian is fighting for the title and is the closest challenger to Isack Hadjar with four rounds to go and is eager to take a race win at Monza this weekend.
Bortoleto has slowly begun to hit form in Europe after a difficult stint in the opening stages of the campaign and is heading to Italy after finishing second in the Feature Race at Spa-Francorchamps.
He also drove well at Monza earlier in his career, taking podium finishes in the Italian F4 championship in the 2020 season.
Gabriel Bortoleto wants to win at the ‘special’ Monza circuit
Monza is the fastest circuit on the calendar and has produced some chaotic races in Formula 2 in the past with slipstreaming and overtaking on the tracks many long straights.
The circuit is unique as it requires the cars to run very little downforce to maximise their top speed and set the quickest lap time.
It also makes qualifying less important than other tracks due to Monza being relatively easy to overtake on in junior series.
Bortoleto outlined the key places to overtake on the track and his desire to take victory in Italy, as the season draws to a conclusion.
He told the FIA Formula 2 website: “The best overtaking spots for me are T1, you can have some big sends there and also the second chicane. Apart from that, just before Ascari but it’s a bit risky.
“I want to win at Monza at some point, I don’t think I have ever won at Monza. I’ve had some great results but not a win. I would like to win, it’s a special track and I want to add that to my career records.”
Gabriel Bortoleto has the opportunity to win the F2 championship
The Brazilian has been putting in impressive performances during his rookie season in FIA F2 and not struggled with the step up in power and downforce from Formula 3.
McLaren now backs him and has been rumoured as a potential candidate to drive for Sauber in Formula 1 n 2025 but he is fully focused on F2.
Bortoleto took his first victory of the season in the Feature Race at Red Bull Ring, which was a critical moment while driving a car that is notoriously difficult to learn.
A race seat in Formula 1 for next season is unlikely for the Brazilian but he has been driving well throughout his junior career.