“It took a weight off my shoulders”
By the time the F2 paddock reconvened in Lusail, Bortoleto’s future was decided as he had signed his F1 contract to join the grid in 2025.
He remembers the moment and the feelings he had, along with those closest to him who supported him and were part of his journey from the beginning. This made the momentous signing day even more special, as he explains.
“I was with my girlfriend and my parents were on FaceTime, one of my sponsors was also on the phone call; That was a very special moment for us.
“They were there and participated in the signing of my F1 contract. When you have a lot of people behind you, supporting you, reassuring you that you can do it, wishing you good luck, it can mean that the pressure is a little bit higher.
“But that was never something that took me out of focus, it was something positive for me. Having those good people around me, supporting me since I was young, when I won, it took a weight off my shoulders.
“I proved to myself that by winning F3 and F2 I deserve to be here. “I didn’t get the deal for anything else, I did it because I won both championships, like Piastri, Russell and Leclerc.”