Not Kimi Antonelli! Fernando Alonso Picks 20-Year-Old As 'Best Of The Generation'
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso has lauded 20-year-old Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto as the best of his generation.
Aston Martin's veteran racing driver Fernando Alonso has said that the 20-year-old Brazilian driver, Kick Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto, is the best among the current generation, pointing out how he won both F3 and F2 as a rookie. Even though Kimi Antonelli has been the standout rookie in F1 this season, Alonso's favourite is Bortoleto.
The Brazilian has showcased composure, and in Alonso's eyes, that makes him a generational talent in the making. Bortoleto arrived in Formula 1 with the unique distinction of winning both Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships in his first season.
Slotted into Kick Sauber, which will morph into Audi's factory outfit next year, Bortoleto entered Formula 1 with high expectations. He is under the tutelage of Alonso's driver management team A14 as well, adding an extra layer to the connection between the duo.
But 12 races in, Bortoleto has scored only four points, sitting 19th in the standings, only above Franco Colapinto of Alpine.
'Very good, but no surprises at all. Last year in Abu Dhabi, I think that he is the best of this generation. He won Formula 3 as a rookie. He won Formula 2 as a rookie," Alonso was quoted as saying by GP Blog.
Coming from the Spanish veteran, that is high praise in a season where the debutants have shown immense depth. At just 18, Antonelli was thrown into a pressure seat at Mercedes, one left behind by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Antonelli already has 63 points, bagged a sprint pole at the Miami GP and even stood on the podium at the Canada Grand Prix. He has reached Q3 nine times as well. He is currently seventh in the standings, just behind Hamilton and ahead of Alexander Albon of Williams.
Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar has 21 points, thrice the combined tally of his two Racing Bulls teammates across the year. He has secured 58% of the team's total points, the highest share by any debutant in 2025. He is currently 11th in the standings behind Esteban Ocon and ahead of Alonso's teammate Lance Stroll.
Oliver Bearman's season at Haas has flown under the radar, but he has impressed as well. He is currently ranked 18th, behind Yuki Tsunoda and just above Bortoleto.
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