Verstappen Tipped Red Bull to Monitor Bortoleto Before Sauber Deal
Max Verstappen revealed he advised Red Bull to 'keep an eye' on Gabriel Bortoleto before the promising young driver signed with Sauber. Bortoleto, a back-to-back F3 and F2 champion, earned Verstappen's praise, highlighting his potential. Despite a challenging start in F1, Verstappen hopes Bortoleto will soon be fighting for podiums, even hinting at a potential future partnership, underscoring the high regard for the Brazilian's talent.
Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen revealed he advised Red Bull to 'keep an eye' on Gabriel Bortoleto before the young Brazilian signed with Sauber for his F1 debut. Bortoleto, fresh off winning the 2024 Formula 2 and 2023 Formula 3 Championships, has garnered significant attention, including from one of the sport's most dominant figures.
Why it matters:
- Verstappen's endorsement highlights Bortoleto's potential as a rising star in Formula 1. Such a recommendation from a reigning champion carries considerable weight, signaling to top teams like Red Bull that Bortoleto possesses exceptional talent.
- This revelation offers a glimpse into the informal scouting networks and personal opinions that often influence driver market decisions in F1, even for established teams with extensive recruitment programs.
The details:
- Verstappen publicly shared his advice during an appearance on the Pelas Pistas podcast, stating, 'I already said to the team before you even got to Formula 1, 'keep an eye on Gabi.''
- Bortoleto's rapid ascent through the junior categories, securing consecutive F3 and F2 championships, underscores his pedigree and readiness for Formula 1.
- Despite his promising junior career, Bortoleto is currently 19th in the F1 drivers' standings with 19 points, with his best finish being sixth place at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
- Mentorship from Hulkenberg: Bortoleto's current teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, has been a source of support, especially after a challenging home race weekend involving two crashes. Hulkenberg reportedly advised him, '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.'
What's next:
- Verstappen, whose Red Bull contract runs until 2028, also discussed the possibility of partnering with Bortoleto in the future. He expressed hope for Bortoleto to become 'really competitive in the front and fight for podiums' within the next three to four years.
- While a future partnership is speculative, Verstappen's comments suggest an openness to racing alongside Bortoleto if both are contending for top positions within the same team.
- Bortoleto's immediate future with Sauber will be crucial for demonstrating his F1 capabilities and potentially attracting interest from other top teams, including Red Bull, who Verstappen believes should have been watching him.