Setting the pace: how Gabriel’s first pre-season unfolded

The start of a new year is always a busy time in Formula One, and for Gabriel Bortoleto, January and February have been all about preparation—both on and off the track—as he gears up for his rookie season.

Much of the early season work took place in the simulator, where Gabriel has been busy sharpening his race craft. Working closely with the team’s engineers, he gained valuable insights for the season ahead, ensuring he’ll hit the ground running when he gets behind the wheel in Melbourne in a few weeks.

Then came the real thing. Gabriel took part in two TPC (Testing of a Previous Car) sessions, the first one being held at the iconic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. While the weather didn’t exactly play in the team’s favour, with track time being limited by the rain, it still offered the opportunity to collect valuable wet-weather data.

The following week, action resumed the Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya, in more suitable weather that allowed Gabriel to maximise his time in the car across both days. These outings gave him valuable time behind the wheel of a Formula One car, helping him get a feel for the machinery and build a strong connection with the engineers and mechanics around him. Every lap counted as he worked on refining his driving and gaining experience ahead of his official debut.

Alongside his on-track commitments, Gabriel also attended Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber’s annual Partners’ Conference, a key event that brings together the team’s sponsors and stakeholders. It was a chance for him to meet many of the people who play a crucial role behind the scenes, as well as get a deeper understanding of the wider project.

Next up was a major milestone: the C45 launch, which took place in London in a first-of-its-kind event that saw all ten Formula One teams unveiling their 2025 challengers together – and Gabriel’s first public commitment as a Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber driver.

The final step before Gabriel’s debut race was pre-season testing, which kicked off at the Bahrain International Circuit on the final week of February: three crucial days that gave Gabriel and the team their first real look at how the C45 performs on track, setting the stage for the season opener in Australia.