Gabriel Bortoleto is knocking on the door of Formula 1 after a successful junior career while ascending the ladder.
The Brazilian is leading the championship in Formula 2 with two rounds to go as he battles his nearest rival, Isack Hadjar.
Bortoleto leads the standings by four and a half points after recovering from a difficult start to the season, during which he failed to score in Saudi Arabia and Australia.
The F2 championship leader has been very impressive in recent races, winning the Feature Race at Monza after starting at the back of the field.
Bortoleto is linked to McLaren and has tested a slightly older car at the Red Bull Ring, although he has yet to debut in an FP1 session.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explained he has been very impressed with his young driver in the FIA press conference after a superb campaign in F2. He continues to be linked with Sauber in Formula 1.
Andrea Stella is impressed as Bortoleto win the FIA F3 title and is leading in F2 as a rookie
Bortoleto has performed admirably over the past couple of seasons, winning the FIA F3 championship last season before adapting to F2.
The Brazilian driver is looking to step up to Formula 1 for the 2025 season but won’t have an opportunity at McLaren as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will lead the team next year.
There could be an opportunity for the Formula 2 driver at Sauber, as the Swiss team doesn’t have two confirmed drivers for next year.
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They have struggled in F1 and are the only team yet to score a point this year before the outfit transforms into Audi in 2026.
Stella explained that Bortoleto’s speed has been impressive in the junior categories, particularly how quickly he has adapted to Formula 2.
He said: “Having the possibility to talk about Gabriel, I would like to take this opportunity to say once again how good work he’s been doing in junior categories, winning F3 and leading F2 in the first season.
“And this is to lead into the fact that I think it’s very normal and natural that Formula 1 teams are interested in having Gabriel as a driver.”
Gabriel Bortoleto has been training very hard to beat Isack Hadjar
The championship battle could go down to the final race in Abu Dhabi, as there is just a four-and-a-half-point gap between them.
Red Bull junior Hadjar has slightly more pressure on his shoulders as it is his second season in Formula 2, and he has more experience than his title rival.
The next round will be in Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit, a new track to the calendar, and it will be physically demanding.
In Qatar, heat will likely play a factor on a track with many high-speed turns, and Bortoleto explained that he has been go-karting to stay sharp.