F1 rookie vows to silence harsh Red Bull critic

Stake F1 rookie Gabriel Bortoleto has sent a new response to Helmut Marko following his respectable qualifying debut in Australia.

Marko recently labelled Bortoleto a “B driver” when assessing the rookie drivers for the 2025 season.

His comment came on the eve of the new F1 season, with Bortoleto taking to the track for his first qualifying session on Saturday.

The Brazilian squeezed his car into the Q2 session and ahead of veteran team-mate Nico Hulkenberg who was knocked out in the first segment.

Bortoleto made a mistake on his final Q2 attempt and is due to start the race from 15th - a healthy position following the low expectations placed on the Stake team this year.

The reigning Formula 2 champion is seeking to change Marko's opinion, starting with his impressive qualifying run. 

“Maybe he will check the live timing today,” Bortoleto told media including RacingNews365. 

“But as I said before, and I stick to the same - his opinion is not going to change my life.

“I will hopefully prove him wrong with time. Maybe today was already the start of it.

“Everyone can have opinions, headlines can be very tough. I'm going to prove him wrong with time.”

Bortoleto excited for wet conditions

Bortoleto will make his first race start on Sunday as he aims to kick off his career in strong fashion.

However, difficulties could arise with rain forecast to hit the circuit on race day.

Bortoleto has little experience of F1 machinery in wet conditions - but the prospect of having his grand prix debut in wet weather has excited the reigning Formula 2 champion.

“I'm excited,” he said. “I can't wait. Wet is one of my favourite conditions. I've not been running in the wet so much in recent years.

“I don't know why, it just didn't rain naturally. But every time I jump in the rain, I'm very happy to drive, and I have a lot of fun. In the rain, everything can happen.”