Brazilian Formula 1 drivers Rafael Camara and Gabriel Bortoleto, Digi Mart USA News: For the first time in ten years, two Brazilian drivers will start a Formula 1 race this weekend. In the sport’s largest country outside Europe, Rafael Camara and Gabriel Bortoleto are giving fans a reason to look back fondly on earlier eras.
Brazil has produced 101 Grand Prix winners, the most recent being Rubens Barrichello in 2009. Hopes for the future now rest on the 21-year-old Camara and the 22-year-old Bortoleto.
Camara makes his debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix with Haas, replacing the dismissed Esteban Ocon. The current leader of the Formula 2 standings will permanently take over the seat from the Frenchman next year.
Bortoleto won the Formula 2 championship in 2024. He is in his second Formula 1 season with Audi and has made a steady impression.
He currently sits fourteenth in the World Championship standings.
The last time two Formula 1 drivers from Brazil started a race at Sao Paulo, Nico Rosberg was on his way to the world title, and Max Verstappen made his famous comeback drive in the rain during his second season. Felipe Massa (Williams) and Felipe Nasr (Sauber) carried the Brazilian flag in 2016 but achieved little.
The country’s greatest success came last century, when Emerson Fittipaldi (1972, 1974), Nelson Piquet (1981, 1983, 1987) and Ayrton Senna (1988, 1990, 1991) became world champions.
Winning this weekend will be a difficult task for Camara and Bortoleto, and a points finish would already be a major achievement. Because of his small stature, round glasses and skill behind the wheel, Camara has affectionately been nicknamed the ‘Latino Harry Potter’.
The young Brazilian feels the high expectations but mainly wants to enjoy his debut race.
“I never thought I would be able to drive my first Formula 1 race in Brazil. It is the first time I drive a F1 car here.
The last time I came here, I was karting.”
Bortoleto, who crashed at Interlagos last year in both the sprint and the main race, knew Camara’s debut was coming. “When I heard the news, I was very happy for him.
He deserves it, he is very talented. He won the F3 title and probably the F2 title now.”
“I hope he has a good weekend, but it is not easy to make your debut here. There is a lot of attention and high expectations.
But he also has to enjoy it, and he will certainly do well.”
Verstappen understands how high the expectations are. “Brazil can demand a lot from you.
There is a lot of history here, many great world champions,” said the four-time world champion. “You should not put too much pressure on Camara.
He has to take it step by step. He has the talent, which he has proven in all the junior categories.”
Brazil’s Formula 1 history remains very much alive, not least because Hamilton is a big Senna fan and Piquet Sr. is Verstappen’s father-in-law.
Senna, who died in a crash at Imola in 1994, is still regarded as a phenomenon.
Bortoleto chose a helmet this weekend inspired by Senna’s design. “He drove an amazing race here 35 years ago.
And he is my idol. When I was growing up, I listened to his adventures at home.
My father was one of his biggest fans, and when you hear about someone every day, he naturally becomes a hero.”
In 1991, Senna won the Grand Prix at Interlagos while stuck in sixth gear for much of the race. Camara also knows the legendary story.
“I did not see it myself and I have no idea how he did it. It must have been difficult.
He did amazing things that no one could explain. He inspired me.”
Bortoleto hopes to be a role model for the next generation of drivers. “Even if we do not win, we must show the younger generation that, despite the problems in our country, it is possible to reach the top in motorsport.”
