Bortoleto on Verstappen: 'He Can Be a Very Good Teammate'
Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto rejects the notion that Max Verstappen is a 'poisoned chalice' as a teammate, instead viewing the four-time champion as a unifying force and a blueprint for building a winning team.
Gabriel Bortoleto is challenging the long-standing narrative that being Max Verstappen's teammate is a career-ending challenge. The Audi driver, who shares a friendly relationship with the four-time champion, believes Verstappen's presence could be a unifying and constructive force for a team. Bortoleto points to Verstappen's role in transforming Red Bull into a powerhouse as evidence of his team-building capabilities, not just his raw speed.
Why it matters:
The 'Verstappen effect' is a major talking point in F1, with former teammate Sergio Perez famously calling the role 'the best and worst job in F1'. Bortoleto's optimistic perspective offers a different view, suggesting that for a young driver and a new project like Audi, Verstappen's leadership and experience could be invaluable assets rather than a source of destructive pressure.
The details:
- Personal Rapport: Bortoleto emphasized his friendship with Verstappen, stating, 'We work very well together as friends. He helps me a lot. That’s why I also believe he can be a very good team-mate.'
- A Unifying Leader: He highlighted Verstappen's leadership qualities, arguing the champion 'manages to unite everyone' and was instrumental in building Red Bull into a title-winning team after he joined.
- Rookie Confidence: The 21-year-old Brazilian had a solid rookie season with Sauber, scoring 19 points and a P6 finish in Hungary, showing he has the pace to compete and isn't intimidated by the prospect of a top-tier teammate.
- Hypothetical Scenario: Bortoleto clarified his comments are speculative, adding he is 'definitely happy with my team and the project we have here' at Audi for now.
What's next:
While Verstappen's future remains with Red Bull until at least 2028, the 2026 regulation reset presents a major opportunity for teams like Audi to shake up the grid. The prospect of pairing a proven champion with a promising talent like Bortoleto could be the ultimate combination for a manufacturer aiming to win from the outset. For now, Bortoleto is focused on his own development within the Audi project.