Verstappen's Title Fight Deemed 'Historical' by Bortoleto

Even without the strongest car for much of the season, Max Verstappen's ongoing presence in the F1 title fight is already a historic achievement, according to Gabriel Bortoleto. The rookie driver believes Verstappen's comeback is one of the greatest in the sport's history, as the Red Bull star now trails Oscar Piastri by only 40 points after the United States Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's ability to remain in championship contention, despite Red Bull's early season struggles, highlights his exceptional talent and resilience. If he can overcome the points deficit, it would mark a remarkable turnaround, cementing his reputation as one of F1's all-time great drivers and showcasing Red Bull's impressive in-season development.

The Details:

• Historic Comeback: Gabriel Bortoleto, a rising star in motorsport, characterized Verstappen's current title challenge as "one of the best comebacks of a championship, in my view, ever done in history."
• Underdog Status: Bortoleto emphasized that Verstappen "didn't have the best car or even the top three car for most of the parts of the year and he has been able to be in the title fight for this long."
• Red Bull's Evolution: The significant improvement in the Red Bull car since the summer break has surprised Bortoleto, who noted, "I'm surprised that they have been able to evolve the car so much since summer break. That surprises me because it's not easy to do that, especially when you're already in a good level like they are."
• Current Standings: As of the United States Grand Prix, the top three drivers are:
  • P1: Oscar Piastri - 346 points
  • P2: Lando Norris - 332 points
  • P3: Max Verstappen - 306 points

Between the lines:

Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies previously stated that Verstappen's performance was "history in the making," a sentiment echoed by Bortoleto. This underscores the growing recognition within the F1 paddock of Verstappen's extraordinary efforts. The skepticism surrounding early season predictions, and the subsequent shift in momentum, also highlights the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 championships.

What's next:

With only a 40-point gap to the leader, the championship battle is far from over. The remaining races will be crucial for Verstappen to close the deficit and potentially secure an unlikely title. Bortoleto advises against speculating on percentages, emphasizing that "it will be only time that will tell you what's the truth" in this compelling championship fight.