Bortoleto is "the best rookie of this generation," claims Alonso

After Gabriel Bortoleto recorded his best F1 result to date at the Hungarian Grand Prix , two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso branded the young Brazilian as "the best rookie of this generation".

The Brazilian put in an impressive performance at the Hungaroring on Saturday to secure a sixth starting positio for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Bortoleto had a great start which saw him overtake Lance Stroll to move up the grid to sixth.

The Sauber driver then ran between multiple world champions Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen during the opening phases of the 70-lap Mogyoród race, and he also survived a possible investigation for a false start.

Having pursued a one-stop strategy, Bortoleto went on to claim sixth spot at the chequered flag which was his third time in the points in the last four races. In addition, he was also voted Driver of the Day by F1 fans for his performance.

Bortoleto is one of six rookie drivers this season. Andrea Kimi Antonelli replaced the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, Oliver Bearman signed for Haas, Jack Doohan slotted into the Alpine line-up, albeit he was replaced by Franco Colapinto at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Bortoleto forms part of the all-new Sauber pairing alongside stalwart Nico Hulkenberg, and Isack Hadjar took the Raceing Bulls seat vacated by Liam Lawson who stepped up to Red Bull to join Max Verstappen only to return to the Faenza-based outfit after just two races into the season.

Since 2023, Bortoleto has been a part of Alonso’s A14 driver management stable which is run by Albert Resclosa Coll and Alberto Fernandez Albilares along with the double F1 world champion.

Commenting on the Brazilian driver's achievement in his rookie season, Alonso stated: "The truth is that he always pushes, he doesn't make mistakes, he's always there putting pressure on you.

The double world champion claimed that Bortoleto is "the best rookie of this generation, I always say it - he proved it last year with equal cars."

"I think that if he were English or something and finished sixth with a Sauber, he'd be on the front page of every newspaper, because what he's doing is truly exceptional. I really hope people see that."