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Gabriel Bortoleto celebrates Formula 3 Champion title and Aramco Best Rookie Award
The driver of the moment, it was high time for Gabriel Bortoleto to celebrate a dream come true as he collected his Drivers’ Championship trophy and the Aramco Best Rookie Award at the 2023 FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 Prize Giving Ceremony.
It had been a showstopping campaign from the Brazilian. Despite being a newcomer to the Championship with Trident, he had no hesitation in stamping his authority down from the get-go by securing back-to-back Feature Race victories in Sakhir and Melbourne.
Never relinquishing his hold on the lead of the Drivers’ Standings, the 19-year-old continued to dominate the order by being a consistent performer A further four podium finishes followed alongside an impressive 15 points-scoring finishes, only failing to score on three occasions.
Ultimately taking the title following Qualifying in Monza, Bortoleto also became the third rookie to achieve the double. After collecting his Best Rookie Award and Championship trophy, he reflected on the momentous moment and credited those who had helped him on his journey so far.
“Formula 3 is one of the most difficult Championships in the world nowadays right. I think everyone that is in F3 is targeting to get to F1 one day and a lot of important names in Formula 1 have been through Formula 3 and won the Championship as well.
“So for me, it’s very special. To be the rookie of the season and also winning the Championship, it’s a very special thing for me. To have nailed it in the first year, it’s been incredible.
He added: “I don’t have any words. I can’t thank Trident enough – Giacomo, Maurizio, Rocco, Andrea and everyone for this special season, everyone in Trident for believing in my potential. It has been tough since the beginning, as a rookie coming into the season, they were very brave to believe in me and give me all the possibilities to win this Championship.
“If I’m here today it’s because of them and it’s also because of a lot of effort from my family, people around me that support me, Giovanni, the President of the Brazilian Federation and my girlfriend that is here as well, who has been with me for a very long time and is helping me.
In addition, he was presented with a €300,000 cheque from Pirelli's Motorsport Director Mario Isola to help him with his progression to Formula 2, with his 2024 seat at Invicta Virtuosi Racing having already been announced.
After having his first taste behind the wheel for them at the Yas Marina post-season test, Bortoleto cannot wait to get properly stuck in and given his success this year, he believes can impress once again.
“They showed very good potential in the last few years. Going to a new team for me, we did a test in Abu Dhabi which was very positive working with the team. Everything’s new, so I need to get used to it, but I’m looking forward to it.
“Putting a number or result down is something difficult because the car is new next year, but I know what with a lot of preparation from our side and the dedication that I see in the team, nothing is impossible.”