Bortoleto Vows to Prove Marko Wrong Ahead of F1 Season Opener

MELBOURNE, Australia — Kick Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto has made headlines with his firm response to Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko‘s recent comments questioning his potential as he gears up for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The Brazilian driver has vowed to ‘prove him wrong’ and make Marko ‘regret what he said’ after Marko categorized him in a lower tier despite Bortoleto’s impressive track record in Formula 3 and Formula 2.

In an interview on Servus TV, Marko expressed doubts about Bortoleto’s capabilities ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, putting him in a “B” category. The young driver, however, remained calm during a press conference, stating, ‘I think Helmut is a guy who has been in F1 for a very long time. While he has put a lot of talented drivers in F1, he has also put more that failed to succeed.’ Bortoleto’s confidence stems from his recent back-to-back championship victories in lower formulae, making his transition to the elite racing series.

Bortoleto continued, ‘I respect him for the accomplishments he has had with drivers like Max Verstappen, who is one of the greatest in the sport. Opinions are free in this world, and he has his views about me. I believe my results speak for themselves.’ He emphasized his intention to let his performance on the track dispel any skepticism about his abilities.

Known for his composed nature, Bortoleto added, ‘I’m going to prove him wrong with time. It’s just a matter of time. I won’t change his mind through words, so I will focus on the race weekend.’ He expressed excitement for the upcoming competition, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport, especially with rain forecasted for the race day.

Fernando Alonso, Bortoleto’s manager and two-time World Champion, commented on Marko’s analysis, indicating that defending his drivers is part of Marko’s role. ‘The facts are stronger than Helmut’s words. Gabriel’s achievements in F3 and F2 show his talent as he moves into F1,’ Alonso said. ‘I hope for both Gabriel and Isack to have long and successful careers, and their victories reflect that.’

As the Australian Grand Prix looms, Bortoleto is focused on delivering a strong performance to validate his position in the elite motorsport division. ‘Tomorrow, we start a new season and want to maximize any opportunities that arise, especially with the possibility of rain, which can create some exciting situations,’ he concluded.