P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Gabriel Bortoleto is gearing up for his first full season in F1 with the Stake squad and understands the pressure on his shoulders from his home country.
Gabriel Bortoleto is looking forward to receiving a similar level of support like fellow South American Franco Colpainto did during his rookie F1 season. Colapinto received massive support from Argentine fans online and at grands prix held in neighboring countries when he raced for Williams in the second half of last season. Bortoleto, following his Formula 2 title win, is set to be the first full-time Brazilian driver since Felipe Massa in 2017 in his rookie F1 campaign this year for Stake F1 alongside Nico Hulkenberg. The Brazilian driver aims to help lift the Hinwil-based squad off the bottom of the pecking order, while understanding the pressure from Brazilian fans who have been waiting for a new F1 driver since Massa. Bortoleto expressed his excitement at representing Brazil in the pinnacle of motorsports and hopes to see a strong Brazilian fan presence at races throughout the season. His F1 debut will be in Australia next month, with his home round in Sao Paulo scheduled for November.
