A detour to Switzerland in the days leading up to the 2025 F1 Canadian GP saw Brazilian Formula 1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto robbed, an episode that almost derailed his participation in one of the most anticipated races of the season.
The 20-year-old Sauber rookie, who has been making headlines in his debut F1 campaign found himself at the center of a crime story that underscored the vulnerability of even the world’s most high-profile athletes when away from the racetrack.
The incident happened in Zurich, Switzerland where Bortoleto was preparing for the North American leg of the Formula 1 calendar.
As is tradition for several F1 drivers who use the break between the Monaco and Canadian Grands Prix to rest and prepare, Bortoleto was enjoying a quiet evening out for dinner.
However, his routine was shattered when thieves targeted his parked car, breaking in and stealing his backpack. Inside were not only his personal belongings but also items critical to his professional obligations: his passport, laptop, and essential racing gear.
With Bortoleto robbed of his travelling documents, his ability to travel to Montreal was cast in doubt, potentially risking getting sidelined from the Canadian GP entirely.
The immediate aftermath saw his team spring into action. With the clock ticking and the Canadian Grand Prix looming, he was forced to navigate the complex process of replacing his stolen documents.
The situation was made even more urgent by the tight travel schedules that Formula 1 drivers must adhere to with media duties, sponsor commitments, and official team obligations all scheduled well in advance of race weekends.
Fortunately, Bortoleto had a second passport, a precaution not uncommon among international athletes and frequent travelers, which allowed him to secure a last-minute flight to Montreal.
Local Swiss authorities responded swiftly to the incident. According to multiple reports, the police were able to track down the thief and recover some of the stolen items including Bortoleto’s passports.
However, not all of his belongings were returned, with some personal and professional items still missing as the Canadian Grand Prix weekend began.
The news of the theft quickly spread through the motorsport community and Brazilian media with Bortoleto himself recounting the ordeal in interviews.
He described the chaos that ensued after discovering the break-in: “I had gone to dinner one day in Switzerland and they ended up opening the car and taking my backpack.
“I had my passports, everything inside—my computer, all my running gear. It was chaos, but we managed to find the guy. Everything worked out in the end. I have my passports. We didn’t find everything, but we did find some things.”
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Despite the disruption, Gabriel Bortoleto arrived in Montreal determined to put the incident behind him and focus on his racing duties.
The 2025 F1 season has been a year of firsts for Bortoleto, having joined Sauber at the start of the year as one of the youngest drivers on the grid.
He is still in the hunt for his first points in Formula 1. His best result to date has been a 12th-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, a performance that hinted at his potential.
The Canadian Grand Prix with its tight walls, unpredictable weather, and reputation for dramatic races, presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Bortoleto to showcase his resilience and skill.
Speaking to the media ahead of the race, he acknowledged the demands of a street circuit: “It’s a street circuit, so I think that always makes the weekend a little bit more competitive—I don’t know if that’s the right word.
“I think it makes mistakes a little bit less acceptable.”
