Max Verstappen ally offers Red Bull exit option

Gabriel Bortoleto would like to be team-mates with Max Verstappen in the future, but insists the four-time F1 drivers' champion would have to join him at Audi.

The Brazilian has forged a close friendship with the Red Bull driver over their shared love of gaming and racing simulators, and Verstappen has become a key source of advice amid the F2 champion's rookie season.

Along with Williams junior Luke Browning, the pair streamed together whilst playing the video game Call of Duty in the run-up to the recent Italian Grand Prix.

When asked by RacingNews365 if he would like to race alongside the Dutchman in the future, the Sauber driver confirmed he would on his terms, whilst highlighting the value Verstappen brings.

"Well, maybe he comes to Audi one day," Bortoleto replied to the media present. "As a friend and everything, we work very well together. He helps me a lot.

"I really believe he can be a very good team-mate in the sense of, when we get a team and bringing the team together.

"He didn't win four titles because he was lucky. He won it because he was in a team that, when he got there, was not a world championship team, and then he built it up with them and made them win.

"So I believe maybe working together wouldn't be a bad thing. But again, if he comes to Audi one day - I'm happy where I am, and I am very glad with the project we have."

Bortoleto on Verstappen advice: 'Sometimes I don't even ask'

Expanding on their relationship, Bortoleto explained how Verstappen helps him develop, as well as revealing that the 27-year-old often proactively offers his guidance.

"I think I am currently learning," the Brazilian said. "We drive a lot together in the sim, and we practice a lot.

"I would say this is always helpful; tracks he already knows, tips he gives about corners and things that I should be looking at.

"Yeah, it's always very good, the tips he gives to me. He's a four-time world champion, so he achieved a lot in his career, and I'm super glad to have someone like him being very helpful, because sometimes I don't even ask; it's coming from him, and obviously, you need to be curious, but it's very nice to have someone like this.

"And he has zero interest at the end of the day. He's not working with me in any sense, and helping me a lot. So I'm grateful."

When RacingNews365 queried if Bortoleto knew why Verstappen had taken him under his wing, the 20-year-old elaborated on their friendship but suggested asking the Red Bull driver directly.

"He started helping me when I was in Formula 3, and we became good friends," he responded. "And I believe he likes me, probably, so that's why he wants to see me doing well in Formula 1.

"I always made it very clear that he's like, for me, the top guy in Formula 1, and I really look up to what he did and is doing in Formula 1, so I think probably he likes it.

"I don't know," he added. "You should probably ask him why he takes me [under his wing]. I don't know the answer. Again, probably because he likes me, and I show him that I am really into the simulator and stuff that he likes, and that I love as well, and we do it together."