Nico Hulkenberg makes Brazil legend comparison with ‘extreme’ Gabriel Bortoleto praise

Nico Hulkenberg has described how he is reminded of his own rookie season working alongside Rubens Barrichello with current F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto.

Bortoleto became Brazil's first full-time driver since Felipe Massa in 2017 at the start of the season after claiming the F2 title, and was paired with the uber-experienced Hulkenberg in a repeat of history from Hulkenberg's own rookie season.

In 2010, as the reigning GP2 champion, he was paired at Williams with Barrichello, a veteran of  285 starts at the time, with Hulkenberg having 227 to his name when paired with Bortoleto at the start of 2025.

Reflecting on his relationship with Bortoleto, Hulkenberg relayed how he felt a similarity to Barrichello mentoring him in 2010.

"We have a lot of respect for each other, and our relationship is very good, very professional," Hulkenberg told media, including RacingNews365, ahead of Bortoleto's first home grand prix.

"But we also have a lot of fun together at the same time, which is important, and it is good to have a good dynamic with your team-mate.

"Whilst we're obviously competitive, and we're supposed to beat each other, it is still important to have the human side as well to have fun with each other, because that sets the tone for the team and makes the whole environment and vibe better.

"Obviously, we're at different points in our careers, and it reminds me a lot of 2010 when I started, and Rubens was a very experienced guy, so there are quite a few similarities there, but it is good. 

"Gabi is one of the most promising rookies I've seen in a long, long time. He's high quality, an extremely fast learner, extremely quick, and if he continues like this, he will have a very, very positive and successful career."