Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 chief executive and long-time head of the sport, has suggested a promising name for Ferrari to consider as they plan for the future of their driver lineup. In a series of comments made to Blick, the British motorsport legend indicated which young talent could be most suitable to step into Maranello’s prestigious F1 team in the coming years.
Previously, Ecclestone had advised Ferrari to consider replacing Lewis Hamilton with a rookie driver. At the time, he mentioned Isack Hadjar, who is currently racing for the Visa Cash App Red Bull Junior Team. In recent days, however, a new candidate has emerged as a potential future star for Ferrari.
The most recent races before the summer break have highlighted the exceptional talent of Sauber’s young driver, Gabriel Bortoleto. The Brazilian driver, the reigning Formula 2 champion, has already accumulated 14 championship points this season. In the last Hungarian Grand Prix, Gabriel Bortoleto even managed to keep pace with the four-time world champion, Max Verstappen, finishing the race in sixth position, just behind his manager, Fernando Alonso. His performance caught the attention of fans, teams, and former Formula 1 executives alike.
Could Gabriel Bortoleto be Ferrari’s next driver?
Ecclestone has never hidden his admiration for the Sauber rookie. Speaking to Blick earlier this month, the former F1 chief remarked, “I am happy to have been able to help the Bortoleto family enter Formula 1, offering advice and support. The boy is worth his weight in gold!”
The future of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, despite holding a multi-year contract and having raced only 14 events with the Maranello team so far, has occasionally been questioned. Ferrari has repeatedly reaffirmed their trust in the seven-time world champion, emphasizing their long-term commitment. Nevertheless, Bernie Ecclestone is looking further ahead and has a suggestion for the Scuderia regarding their driver strategy.
Speaking once again to Blick, he added, “The strong performances of Gabriel Bortoleto in a midfield team like Sauber should actually wake up Ferrari. The next driver issue should be resolved by the Italians with the Brazilian.”
Bernie Ecclestone’s comments suggest that while Ferrari remains focused on its current lineup, there is a rising star already proving himself in the F1 paddock. Gabriel Bortoleto’s early success in Formula 1 could place him on Maranello’s radar as a potential future driver, giving fans a glimpse of what the next generation of Ferrari talent might look like. His combination of raw speed, racecraft, and championship experience in junior formulas positions him as a standout prospect for one of the sport’s most storied teams.
Leave a Reply