Sun Mar 16 04:10:00 UTC 2025: ## F1 Rookie Bortoleto Vows to Prove Red Bull Advisor Marko Wrong
**Melbourne, Australia –** Kick Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto has fired back at Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko after Marko placed him in a lower tier of upcoming F1 drivers. Bortoleto, who won back-to-back championships in Formula 3 and Formula 2, dismissed Marko’s assessment, stating he will “prove him wrong” on the track.
Marko, in a recent Servus TV appearance, categorized Bortoleto in a “B” group despite his impressive achievements. Bortoleto responded with respect for Marko’s experience but emphasized his own accomplishments and his determination to succeed in Formula 1. He acknowledged that his on-track performance will be the ultimate response to Marko’s criticism.
Fernando Alonso, Bortoleto’s manager, defended the young driver, highlighting Bortoleto’s victories in F3 and F2 and suggesting Marko’s comments may have been biased toward his own drivers. Alonso also pointed to the fact that Bortoleto beat Red Bull-backed Isack Hadjar – another F1 rookie – in last year’s F2 championship.
The Australian Grand Prix, which is also seeing a wet weather threat and several crashes in the support series, will be the stage for Bortoleto’s debut and an opportunity to make a statement against Marko’s assessment. The race also saw Lando Norris claim pole position for McLaren, securing their first Australian front-row lockout in 13 years.
First Piper 