The Brazilian rookie joins his sophomore F1 season after impressing during his 2025 debut with Sauber. F2 champion in 2024 with a particularly strong run through the second half of that season, Bortoleto is part of Audi's longer-term project to build a championship-capable team, and his contract reflects that investment.
The new regulations level the playing field in ways that could favour a team prepared to commit fully to the reset, which is exactly Audi's strategy. Bortoleto's job is to keep developing alongside the project, taking points where the car allows and being ready when it improves.