Gabriel Bortoleto is in prime position to steal the Formula 2 championship after taking over from Isack Hadjar at the top of the standings.
With two rounds to go, he now holds a 4.5-point lead over his French rival, after he suffered two scoreless rounds in a row.
In fact, before the Italian Grand Prix – Hadjar held a 35-point lead over the course of the five week summer break.
He has to turn things around at the penultimate round of the Formula 2 season in Qatar, but he will have to wait until November to do so and thwart Bortoleto’s charge.
Gabriel Bortoleto advised to take Formula 1 seat if he wins title
Bortoleto is a McLaren young driver, but the problem remains that they haven’t got any open Formula 1 seats for at least two years.
If the Brazilian wins the Formula 2 championship, he will not be permitted to return, leaving him without a drive in either of the top two categories.
That could be prevented by going for a move to Sauber if it’s offered and is something that Motorsport Brasil’s Guilherme Longo supports the idea of.
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“Go for it if it’s a vacancy that’s open now [and don’t wait for McLaren to promote]. Even more so in this condition, Bortoleto has every chance of being Formula 2 champion this year.
“What will he do? He’ll just be sucking his thumb waiting. Maybe Norris breaking his hand in an accident, or Piastri has a problem staying out of the weekend.”
What options does Bortoleto have if full-time in F1 or F2 is not available?
Bortoleto will have few choices if he finds himself without a Formula 1 drive after winning the Formula 2 title.
He could remain with McLaren in a test or reserve role, but that fate has awaited way too many champions lately and done them few favours.
Just look at where Felipe Drugovich and Theo Pourchaire – the last two Formula 2 champions have ended up.
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The last driver to graduate to Formula 1 immediately was Mick Schumacher to Haas, and even that was a short-lived affair.
It will require a wise choice and some good advice on Bortoleto’s part, but it’s important that he doesn’t thwart his momentum with his next career move.