Sergio Perez's Red Bull Exit Opens Door for Rising F1 Star’s B...read more

Breaking; Sergio Perez’s Red Bull Exit Opens Door for Rising F1 Star’s B…read more

Sergio Perez’s departure from Red Bull at the end of last season has created a golden opportunity for one of Formula 1’s brightest young talents—Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto who has now landed a major sponsorship deal with Nestlé’s KitKat brand.

Despite a tough 2024 campaign that saw Perez miss the podium in 19 consecutive races, the Mexican driver’s massive global fan base kept him in high demand with top-tier sponsors. One of his biggest commercial backers, Nestlé, featured the KitKat logo prominently on his helmet last year and elevated the brand to official F1 partner status ahead of the 2025 season.

Now, with Perez stepping away from the grid, Bortoleto has been tapped to carry the baton. The 20-year-old appeared earlier this week in a new Instagram campaign wearing a KitKat-themed race suit. The ad, targeted at his native Brazil, showed him relaxing between races and included the playful caption:

“After an intense start to the championship, that time between one GP and another will be like this: a well-deserved break and with a lot of KitKat. So, is there a better way to enjoy the break?”

While Perez remains a KitKat ambassador—recently starring in a series of comedic social media ads—his sabbatical from racing has shifted attention to emerging talents like Bortoleto. The former F2 champion is currently racing for Sauber, ahead of Audi’s full entry into the sport in 2026, where he’ll drive alongside veteran Nico Hülkenberg.

Though his rookie F1 season has been challenging Bortoleto is one of only four drivers yet to score a point after six rounds—his commercial appeal is clearly on the rise. This new partnership signals growing confidence in his marketability, as well as his long-term potential in the sport.

Meanwhile, speculation around Perez’s next move continues. While he has yet to officially announce retirement, the 35-year-old is heavily linked with a possible seat at Cadillac for their 2026 F1 debut.

As one door closes for a seasoned veteran, another opens for a promising newcomer—proof that in Formula 1, timing and branding can be just as crucial as raw speed.