McLaren team boss Andrea Stella has admitted they won't stop Gabriel Bortoleto if Sauber offers him a chance in Formula 1. However, the team would much rather see him go on loan than leave the organization permanently. Bortoleto is currently viewed as a leading candidate to partner Nico Hulkenberg, competing for the spot with Theo Pourchaire and Valtteri Bottas. Franco Colapinto is also in the mix after a standout performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Bortoleto's rise has been impressive, following strong results in Formula 4 and Formula Regional. The Brazilian prodigy won the Formula 3 championship in his first attempt last year and has already taken the lead in the Formula 2 standings as a rookie after the Baku event.
With Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris signed for the long haul, a seat at the Woking-based team won't realistically open up until 2027. This is why Stella is willing to discuss other options for Bortoleto's growth. The team principal is delighted not just with the driver's results and steadiness on track, but also his maturity. To illustrate his form, Bortoleto has finished inside the top 10 in 17 of his previous 18 F2 starts.
Stella explained that if Sauber's COO Mattia Binotto approached him about such a talent, it would be wrong to deny the driver a shot at the top level. However, he emphasized that McLaren is keen to find a compromise that keeps the driver within their ecosystem, as they view him as a crucial asset for their future success.
Regarding his own lineup, Stella noted that McLaren is perfectly happy and secure with their current driver pairing for the foreseeable future. Despite this, he wants to maintain a relationship with Bortoleto and believes a workable solution can be found. He encourages Gabriel to stay grounded, focusing on the finish line of each individual race rather than obsessing over the championship standings.
Stella drew parallels between Gabriel and Oscar Piastri, noting that it's not just about raw speed or technical execution. He praised the driver's humility and his eagerness to learn and collaborate with the team, noting a total lack of arrogance. According to the 53-year-old boss, the combination of natural talent, a strong work ethic, and a great attitude is what allows a driver to evolve as quickly as Gabriel has.
Reflecting on the start of his Formula 2 journey, Stella mentioned that while there were some early struggles—some due to car reliability rather than driver error—Bortoleto never wavered. He remained persistent and has steadily built his momentum to where he is today.
Currently, Bortoleto tops the F2 standings with 169.5 points. He is closely chased by Isack Hadjar (165), Zane Maloney (135), and Paul Aron (133), with four races remaining in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Other drivers still in the hunt for the title include Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Victor Martins, and Jak Crawford.