Alonso Decries Unfair Bias as He Hails Bortoleto the True Rookie Standout of This Era
Fernando Alonso has taken a firm stance against what he perceives as bias within the Formula 1 community, asserting that Gabriel Bortoleto should be recognized not only as the most impressive rookie of the 2025 season but also as the standout newcomer of this entire generation. The two-time World Champion expressed dismay that Bortoleto’s stellar P6 finish at his home race in Brazil was overshadowed by the misfortunes of more established names like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Alonso believes that had any other rookie delivered such a performance, the media spotlight would have been unwavering.
Bortoleto’s journey to Formula 1 has been one of minimal exposure and preparation. Despite clinching the Formula 2 championship with McLaren’s backing, his actual time behind the wheel of an F1 car was limited, especially compared to peers like Kimi Antonelli, who racked up thousands of testing kilometers. When Sauber signed him in November, Bortoleto hadn’t even participated in a single FP1 session. Consequently, he entered the season as arguably the most underprepared driver on the grid, enduring ten consecutive races without scoring a point before finally breaking through in Austria with a P10.
Since that turning point, the young Brazilian has found his footing, securing three points finishes in just four races — culminating in a remarkable sixth-place finish at Interlagos. Despite outperforming both Red Bull teams and even besting Ferrari’s Hamilton on home soil, Bortoleto’s achievement was largely lost in narratives centered on others’ failures. Alonso, who also manages Bortoleto, believes such disregard exemplifies the systemic bias that distorts the evaluation of young talent in the sport.
The Spaniard insists that Bortoleto’s performances reflect more than raw speed — they show maturity and consistency rare among rookies. “He commits few mistakes and applies constant pressure,” Alonso told media. “If any other rookie finished sixth in a Sauber, it would be front-page news everywhere.” Alonso emphasized that what Bortoleto accomplishes under the radar is nothing short of extraordinary and deserving of far more acclaim than it has received thus far.
For his part, Bortoleto remains composed and focused on steady development. He acknowledges that progress is a natural part of any rookie campaign and credits his disciplined approach to learning from mistakes. “In every category, I’ve always improved step by step,” he said, stressing his passion for hard work and self-improvement. Statistically, Bortoleto currently ranks third among rookies — trailing Antonelli and Hadjar — but Alonso’s endorsement suggests that numbers alone may not fully reflect his potential or impact.
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