Jonas Leo
Verstappen’s unsolicited counsel, shared during an appearance on the Pelas Pistas podcast, underscores the high regard the reigning champion holds for Bortoleto, who has rapidly ascended the motorsport ladder, culminating in consecutive championship victories in Formula 3 (2023) and Formula 2 (2024). "I already said to the team before you even got to Formula 1, ‘keep an eye on Gabi.’ But now we’re all here, and let’s just see how it evolves," Verstappen stated, highlighting his foresight regarding the young driver’s potential.
Gabriel Bortoleto’s journey to Formula 1 has been marked by a swift and impressive trajectory through the junior categories. In 2023, competing with Trident in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, Bortoleto clinched the title in dominant fashion. His season was characterized by consistent podium finishes and two victories, demonstrating a remarkable blend of speed, race craft, and maturity for a rookie. This immediate success propelled him into the FIA Formula 2 Championship for the 2024 season, where he continued his winning ways with Invicta Racing. His Formula 2 campaign mirrored his F3 success, securing the championship with a round to spare, a testament to his adaptability and innate racing ability. These back-to-back titles across two highly competitive feeder series made him an undeniable prospect for Formula 1, leading to his eventual signing with the Swiss-based Sauber team for the 2025 season.
Verstappen’s endorsement carries significant weight within the Formula 1 paddock, particularly given Red Bull’s historically rigorous and highly successful, albeit demanding, driver development program. The Milton Keynes-based outfit has a proven track record of identifying and nurturing future champions, with alumni including Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Carlos Sainz. For Verstappen, himself a product of a rapid rise through the ranks, to personally recommend a driver outside of Red Bull’s direct junior system signals an exceptional level of talent in Bortoleto. It suggests that Verstappen observed qualities in the Brazilian that resonated with his own understanding of what it takes to succeed at the pinnacle of motorsport.
The conversation between Verstappen and Bortoleto, during which these remarks were made, also delved into the distant possibility of the two drivers becoming teammates in the future. Verstappen, currently under a long-term contract with Red Bull until 2028, maintained an open perspective on his own future beyond that date. "First of all, I don’t even know how long I’m going to do myself. I have a contract until 2028, but after that, nothing is agreed on or what. I don’t even know myself," he elaborated, acknowledging the dynamic nature of F1 careers. He then expressed his aspirations for Bortoleto: "I just hope for Gabi that he gets an opportunity within the next three, four years to be really competitive in the front and fight for podiums and then, if that’s in the same team, even better, because that means that we are both fighting for the best positions." This sentiment highlights a desire for competitive parity and a shared pursuit of success, rather than a direct recruitment pitch.
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Bortoleto has already embarked on his Formula 1 career with Sauber, the team currently operating under the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber banner, which is set to transition into the Audi factory team in 2026. As a rookie in the highly competitive 2025 season, Bortoleto faces the immense challenge of adapting to Formula 1 machinery and the demands of Grand Prix racing. Despite the inherent difficulties of campaigning with a team that has typically operated in the midfield or lower, Bortoleto has already demonstrated flashes of his potential. He currently sits 19th in the drivers’ standings with 19 points, a respectable haul for a debutant, and his best grand prix finish to date is a notable sixth place at the Hungarian Grand Prix. This performance underscores his ability to capitalize on opportunities and extract performance, even in a less competitive package. For context, Sauber finished 10th in the Constructors’ Championship in 2023 with a total of 16 points, indicating that Bortoleto’s individual contribution has been significant relative to the team’s recent performance.
The transition to Formula 1 is notoriously challenging, and even the most talented rookies encounter setbacks. Bortoleto recently experienced a particularly difficult home race weekend, which saw him suffer two crashes. In the aftermath of this disappointing performance, he received crucial support and advice from his experienced teammate, Nico Hülkenberg. Hülkenberg, a veteran of over 200 Grand Prix starts across more than a decade in Formula 1, provided perspective and reassurance. "He said one in 20, 20 years in Formula 1," Bortoleto recounted, referring to Hülkenberg’s words of wisdom. "’You’re going to have a lot of good and bad moments. I’ve had a lot of moments like that. It’s just going to strengthen you. He’s proud of what I’ve done this year. I’m going to keep going strong and the good moments will come.’"
Hülkenberg’s guidance is invaluable for a young driver navigating the highs and lows of Formula 1. The German driver, known for his consistency and resilience, has himself experienced various team environments and competitive scenarios throughout his extensive career. His ability to return to a full-time F1 seat after periods as a reserve driver speaks volumes about his enduring talent and mental fortitude. Such mentorship can be pivotal in shaping a rookie’s approach to the sport, helping them to internalize the lessons from difficult weekends and maintain focus on long-term development.
Gabriel Bortoleto’s journey is still in its nascent stages, but the ringing endorsement from a driver of Max Verstappen’s calibre, coupled with his impressive junior career and early F1 points, positions him as one of the most exciting prospects in contemporary motorsport. As he continues to gain experience with Sauber, all eyes will be on his development, especially given the impending Audi takeover, which could offer him a high-profile platform for future success. Whether a partnership with Verstappen ever materializes remains a speculative long shot, but the current champion’s early recognition of Bortoleto’s talent undoubtedly casts a significant spotlight on the young Brazilian’s promising career.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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