Gabriel Bortoleto recently won the Formula 3 championship last year and has made significant strides during his rookie Formula 2 campaign so far this year, targeting championship glory. Soon to join Sauber as part of their F1 program, Bortoleto shares insights into his rigorous simulator training regimen and shares some insights into its effectiveness with us.
Preparing for the Big League
Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan and Oliver Bearman will join Bortoleto as notable rookies entering Formula 1 next season, including notable names like Kimi Antonelli. After failing to secure any points during 2024 with Sauber, Bortoleto’s preparations become ever more critical – although recent updates and strategies seem promising with Zhou Guanyu performing strongly at Las Vegas Grand Prix as proof.
The Brazilian driver is set to face a challenging environment next year but remains undeterred. He values the opportunity to measure his skills against the highly acclaimed Nico Hulkenberg, who will serve as an important benchmark in his rookie year.
In-Depth Simulator Sessions
On the F1 Nation Podcast, Bortoleto discussed the importance of his extensive simulator sessions. “I do a lot of preparation in the simulator, especially when I’m home – I spend 7/8 hours a day doing simulator work,” he stated. For Bortoleto, his daily routine revolves around gym training and simulator sessions, underscoring a commitment that he hopes will translate into on-track performance advantages.
A Vital Period for Sauber/Audi
Bortoleto’s approach exemplifies a wider trend among Formula 1 drivers from his generation who rely heavily on simulator work as part of their preparation, something best epitomized by Max Verstappen. Being part of Fernando Alonso’s Management team further amplifies this intensity; having signed multi-year deals, Bortoleto views this season as being vitally important but remains realistic about competing at such an elite level of motorsport.
As Bortoleto prepares to race Formula 1, his focus on simulator training underscores his determination to not just meet but surpass all expectations associated with competing in Formula 1. His long-term project with Audi offers ample practice time in simulator racing environments.