Gabriel Bortoleto hails Max Verstappen relationship as key F1 career advice revealed

Gabriel Bortoleto has revealed Max Verstappen gave him advice when it came to the direction of his racing career.

Bortoleto won the Formula 3 campaign in 2024 before signing to the McLaren junior programme as he stepped up to Formula 2.

However, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri tied down to long-term deals, Bortoleto searched elsewhere for an immediate route to the grid, penning a contract with Sauber for the 2025 season after winning the F2 title.

The Brazilian detailed that he sought advice from four-time champion Verstappen as he navigated the junior ladder.

"It's great, it’s not news that I have a very good relationship with him,” Bortoleto told media including RacingNews365.

“Max has always supported me a lot in the junior series as well, growing up.

“He was always very realistic with me as well. I never asked him to do anything for me.

“I asked a lot of advice for my future and decisions I wanted to take, where to go, opportunities I had.

“I asked him, 'What do you think? Where should I go, here or there?' and he would help me with that.”

Bortoleto and Verstappen recently appeared together on the Pelas Pistas podcast, where the latter revealed he had informed Red Bull to keep an eye on Bortoleto as he came through the junior ranks.

The 21-year-old, who will remain with the team this year as it transitions to Audi, voiced his gratitude for the support.

"I knew he talked with Red Bull, but I didn't know when he [did], when he told that in the podcast, I was a bit like, 'oh okay that’s nice, from him back in the time to do that.',” he said.

“Even Jonathan [Wheatley, Audi team principal] said that many times before they signed me here, Max said to him, 'keep an eye on this guy, he can be very good in F1'.

“I don't want to say too much, let him tell you this. But definitely that's very nice from him to do that."