Fernando Alonso has continued to show his support for Gabriel Bortoleto as he continues to mentor the Brazilian. Since 2023, Bortoleto has been a part of Alonso’s A14 driver management stable, but is now racing the Spaniard.

Bortoleto is among several rookies on the grid this year having got the call-up from Kick Sauber. Despite racing against each other Alonso has still been willing to share his experiences and his knowledge with the man who is 23 years his junior.

Motorsport.com report that the pair were deep in conversation on one of the walkways over the Shanghai paddock during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend with Alonso treating the 20-year-old as one of his apprentices, rather than a direct rival despite them backing for points.

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

Bortoleto has underlined the support he's received early in his F1 career and recently said: “He’s been very good. He’s been able to teach me a lot of these things – how to maximise my performance on track by managing my efforts outside of it. Things like how to handle the [early GP weekend] days here, Thursdays and Fridays, to be focused on what really matters during the weekend. It’s been very nice so far.