Verstappen Urged Red Bull to Watch Bortoleto Pre-F1 Debut

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen disclosed that he encouraged Red Bull to monitor Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto well before the young driver secured his debut seat with Sauber. The revelation came during a joint appearance on the Pelas Pistas podcast, recorded on the eve of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos.

Verstappen, who has been with Red Bull since 2016 and holds a contract through 2028, first noticed Bortoleto's potential through online sim racing sessions. "I already said to the team before you even got to Formula 1, keep an eye on Gabi," Verstappen said. "But now we're all here, and let's just see how it evolves." The Dutch driver, known for his straightforward assessments, highlighted Bortoleto's quick thinking and racecraft during those virtual battles, which convinced him of the Brazilian's talent.

Bortoleto, 20, joined Sauber after clinching the Formula 2 title in 2024 and the Formula 3 championship the previous year. As a former McLaren junior, his path to the top tier was blocked by the team's established lineup of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, prompting his move to the Swiss-based outfit, which will transition to Audi in 2026. He now...