Gabriel Bortoleto has received high praise from Audi boss Mattia Binotto, who likened the young driver's work ethic to that of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher. In an interview with Automoto.it, Binotto revealed that Bortoleto possesses traits reminiscent of Schumacher, especially in terms of dedication and human sensitivity.
Binotto is no stranger to the paddock. He spent 28 years with Ferrari before joining Sauber in 2024. Throughout his career, he has worked with many top drivers, but Schumacher remains the most memorable. "His work ethic. Michael is a person with great values in terms of hard work, professionalism, commitment, dedication, motivation, and passion. You can't improvise that," Binotto said.
He further explained that talent alone is not enough to become a champion. "Talent is necessary, but it's not enough. You need more. As a person, he gave his best outside the cockpit. As a driver, he closed his visor, becoming the Michael we all saw and knew as a driver. But I always thought Michael was even stronger as a person, not just for his work ethic, but for his generosity towards everyone. He gave his attention to each and every person, making us feel at ease and putting us in the ideal conditions to do our best," he added.
When asked if any current driver reminds him of Schumacher, Binotto didn't hesitate to name Bortoleto. "Gabriel. For his work ethic and for being a person with great human sensitivity," he replied. This praise is certainly a boost for Bortoleto as he navigates his F1 career.
Bortoleto himself was surprised and flattered by the comparison. He admitted that Schumacher wasn't his idol growing up, but through conversations with Binotto, he began to learn about and admire the seven-time world champion. "Michael became an idol of mine because of him. He always talks about him. Then I started learning about him and realised how great he was. I hadn't even been born yet when he won everything. Just yesterday we were talking about him, about how he treated the team," Bortoleto said.
This story shows the immense influence Schumacher has not only on the generation that watched him race, but also on young drivers like Bortoleto. The work ethic and human touch that Schumacher exemplified set a high standard, but Binotto sees that potential in Bortoleto. With the right guidance, it's not impossible that Bortoleto will achieve similar success in the future.
For Audi, who will join F1 in 2026, having a driver like Bortoleto could be a valuable asset. The combination of natural talent and a strong work ethic is a solid foundation for building a competitive team. Binotto, who successfully built Ferrari around Schumacher, seems keen to replicate that history with Bortoleto at Audi. Of course, the journey is still long, but this praise at least gives an indication of the direction the German team wants to take.
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