Fernando Alonso continues to offer guidance and support to Gabriel Bortoleto, a young Brazilian driver under his mentorship since 2023. Despite now racing against each other, Alonso, who is significantly senior, willingly imparts his experiences and knowledge to Bortoleto, who is one of the rookies on the grid this season after being recruited from Kick Sauber.
During the recent Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Alonso and Bortoleto were seen engrossed in conversation on a walkway above the Shanghai paddock, as reported by Motorsport.com. Despite competing for points, Alonso treats the 20-year-old as a mentee rather than a direct adversary.
Bortoleto expressed gratitude for Alonso’s mentorship, stating, “He’s been very good. He’s been able to teach me a lot of these things – how to maximize my performance on track by managing my efforts outside of it.” Having observed Alonso throughout his racing career and now racing alongside him in Formula 1 while being managed by him, Bortoleto views it as a valuable opportunity.
While Bortoleto faced setbacks in the season opener in Australia, finishing 14th in China and 19th in Japan, Alonso maintains a supportive stance. He humorously mentioned the prospect of Bortoleto letting him pass if needed but emphasized his willingness to share knowledge and support the rookie’s development.
Alonso expressed pride in their relationship at A14 and acknowledged the challenges Bortoleto faces in his rookie year in Formula 1. He highlighted the importance of sharing insights on circuits, race preparation, and energy management to enhance Bortoleto’s performance on the track. Alonso remains committed to assisting Bortoleto and believes their collaboration will continue to yield positive results.