Gabriel Bortoleto Welcomes Max Verstappen to Future Audi Team, Citing Sim Racing Bond

F1 Rookie Bortoleto Welcomes Sim Racing Friend Max Verstappen to Audi

F1 rookie Gabriel Bortoleto believes he and four-time World Champion Max Verstappen could be teammates at Audi, revealing their strong friendship forged through sim racing and online gaming.

Why it matters:

This highlights a unique bond between F1 drivers, offering a rare glimpse into Verstappen's informal mentorship and speculating on a future alliance involving a multi-world champion and a rising star.

The big picture:

Bortoleto, a standout rookie, developed his friendship with Verstappen in 2023, bonding over gaming. During their sim racing sessions, Verstappen consistently provides unsolicited tips on tracks and corners, a mentorship Bortoleto deeply values.

"We drive a lot together in the sim and we practice a lot," Bortoleto stated at the Italian Grand Prix. He praised Verstappen's selfless guidance: "He has zero interest... helping me a lot, so I’m grateful."

The details:

Bortoleto, contracted with Sauber as it transitions into the Audi factory team, jokingly welcomed Verstappen, whose Red Bull contract runs until 2028 but whose future beyond 2026 is often debated. Bortoleto believes Verstappen's championship success stems from his ability to build a team.

"He didn’t win four titles because he was lucky," Bortoleto noted. He added that working together "wouldn’t be a bad thing" if Verstappen ever joined Audi.

Team principal Jonathan Wheatley lauded Bortoleto's maturity, work ethic, and rapid development, confirming his strong trajectory with Sauber.

What's next:

As Bortoleto thrives with Audi's upcoming entry, the speculative idea of a Verstappen-Bortoleto partnership adds an intriguing layer to F1's driver market discussions.