There are thirty-two cars on the entry list again for the season-opening Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine weekend at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari after Gabriel Bortoleto was announced to race for FA Racing.
The sixteen-year-old Brazilian was initially omitted from the entry list after being expected to race for DR Formula. However, just a day before the season begins at Imola, Bortoleto has signed for Fernando Alonso’s team to race alongside Andrea Rosso and Alexandre Bardinon.
Bortoleto comes in as a replacement for Spaniard Mari Boya, who made his own last-minute switch earlier this week from FA Racing to Van Amersfoort Racing.
“I’m truly delighted to be able to join FA Racing for my promotion to Formula Regional,” said Bortoleto. “It’s a wonderful opportunity, and especially exciting to be part of a team fronted by none other than Fernando Alonso.
“I’m joining a very competitive series and will be racing against the most talented young drivers of my generation – exactly the place to be for me to prove my talent.”
FA Racing’s Paul Antony believes Bortoleto will be a great addition to the team, and he expects the sixteen-year-old to shine on track despite not having driven for the team ahead of the start of the season.
“It’s great news Gabriel has joined us for 2021,” said Antony. “He was a revelation in karts and proved to be sensationally quick in Italian F4.
“I’m confident Gabriel will star alongside Andrea and Alexandre, and will let his natural talent do the talking on the track.”