Stella addresses growing Audi interest in McLaren star

Andrea Stella has addressed Audi's growing interest in its junior driver Gabriel Bortoleto, who currently leads the F2 drivers' championship. 

Bortoleto is the reigning F3 champion and took control of the F2 championship last weekend in Azerbaijan, following two strong points finishes. 

He has claimed two victories in his maiden F2 season for Invicta Racing, most recently in Monza where he won from last on the grid. 

The McLaren team principal has been very impressed by Bortoleto's development and has likened him to Oscar Piastri. 

"I tell Gabriel the same thing I tell the team, don't look at the classification just think about the chequered flag all the time, and race one race at a time with both feet on the ground," Stella told select media including RacingNews365.

"And he does it for me similar to Oscar [Piastri], it's not only the ability and the execution when he is in the car, from a driving point of view. 

"It's also how humble these guys are, how available they are to just learn working with the team, like at no point are they arrogant. And when you combine talent with hard work and this kind of values and attitude, I think it's where you can grow as a driver. 

"Gabriel is another example of growing so rapidly. If we think about the start of his F2 campaign, he had some hiccups at times, not necessarily only due to his driving, we had some problems, but he didn't give up. He stayed on the case, and now is building step by step." 

Stella's Audi condition

Bortoleto is highly-rated but is unable to be promoted into the McLaren F1 team, due to Piastri and Lando Norris having long-term contracts. 

The young driver is eager to be on the F1 grid next year and was recently granted permission by McLaren to speak to Stake F1/Audi. 

A seat remains available alongside Nico Hulkenberg at the Hinwil-based outfit next year and also in 2026 when it completes its transition into Audi. 

Stella has no problem Bortoleto joining Stake F1/Audi should Mattia Binotto, its new chief operating and chief technical officer, ask to sign him, although wants the driver to somehow remain part of the Woking-based team's family.

"If Binotto came to me, when you have such a talent, definitely you're not going to stop him having a chance in F1 at the same time," explained Stella.

"We will definitely be interested in finding a way to keep him in the McLaren family, because I think he's a talent that in the future, could be important for McLaren.

"We are safe for the long-term with our two drivers, we couldn't be any happier. But definitely we would like to keep him in the McLaren family."