Bortoleto conducted his first tests with a McLaren

Yesterday, the long-cherished dream of Gabriel Bortoleto, Formula 2 driver and participant in the McLaren youth programme, came true: the 19-year-old Brazilian carried out his first tests behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car.

At the Austrian Red Bull Ring, he drove the MCL36, a 2022 model car, during a private test organized for him by the British team. By the way, Fernando Alonso has been managing his career for the past two years through the company he owns, A14 Management.

“I have completed my first day behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car and I am very satisfied,” said Bortoleto. “It was a special moment for me.” From a very young age, I dreamed of one day getting behind the wheel of such a car and driving many laps with it – and that is exactly how it happened. I learned a lot of new things, because this technique is very different from anything I have tested before – the sensations are almost unreal!

Overall, I’m very happy and grateful to McLaren for making my dream come true, and hopefully I’ll get another opportunity like this soon.”

Bortoleto was brought into McLaren’s youth programme by Emanuele Pirro, a former Formula 1 driver who was responsible for developing young talent at the Woking-based team. The Italian left McLaren last April when he was asked to head the FIA’s single-seater racing commission.

By the way, Pirro’s son was Bortoleto’s race engineer in 2020 when Gabriel competed in Italian Formula 4. Another interesting point is that Cristoforo Pirro, the eldest son of Emanuele Pirro, worked for the Sauber team until recently as one of Valtteri’s engineers Bottas. And now events are developing in such a way that Bortoleto could take the Finnish racer’s place in the Swiss team next season – but for now these are just assumptions.

A week ago, Bortoleto won the Sunday Formula 2 race in Monza, and Pirro Sr. was one of the first to congratulate him on his success. Now Gabriel takes 2nd place in the series’ individual ranking.