Bernie Ecclestone hypes Gabriel Bortoleto for Audi’s first season: “Potential future world champion”

Former Method 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone believes Audi F1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto “will likely be a menace” to his skilled team-mate Nico Hulkenberg because the German model begins its first season this yr.

Audi’s entry into the championship this yr has been extremely anticipated by followers for the reason that takeover of the Sauber group. Whereas the 4 rings of the model have been seen in a lot of promotional actions for the reason that information broke of its funding, 2026 is the primary season the place followers will see the automobile on the grid.

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After a powerful first yr at Sauber, the younger Bortoleto is seen by many as an upcoming expertise, one which Ecclestone believes may problem his older team-mate.

“They’ve now gathered all of the elements for a profitable first yr in Method 1,” Ecclestone instructed Sport.de after a fast Audi shocked viewers in race simulations. And with the outfit bringing its personal Audi-built energy unit to the battle, it was impressively dependable with just a few points that restricted operating in Barcelona.

It ended its second stint of testing with 357 laps recorded. And whereas its drivers have been fairly shtum round expectations, they’re silently optimistic.

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“I feel we have talked loads concerning the ambition within the undertaking and what’s been achieved already is unimaginable,” group principal Jonathan Wheatley mentioned through the second take a look at. “We are the first group to run this new technology of Method 1 automobile, everybody right here is aware of what that takes to be able to go sure deadlines to get there.

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff

“I feel it exhibits an ambition within the group as properly. An incredible job that is occurred in Neuberg and Hinwil and naturally in Bicester – a vastly proficient group of individuals who put a variety of effort into it and we’re sat right here as properly with a model, not only a model new energy unit, however a powertrain.

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“And to be the place we’re and obtain the mileage that we achieved final week is vastly encouraging however you understand it is an formidable journey we’re on and we’re a bit of method away from the place we might ideally be in the meanwhile.”

From the place Ecclestone is sitting, he is excited for Audi to have the ability to capitalise on the brand new rules.

“All of the groups are carefully matched. Audi can positively be aggressive there,” he mentioned, earlier than including that Bortoleto “will likely be a menace” to Hulkenberg, describing him as “very quick and a possible future world champion.”

These are excessive expectations for the younger driver, who will likely be eager to fulfil them if he has the possibility.

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