Verstappen: I told Red Bull; keep an eye on Bortoleto

Back in 2024, when Sauber were shopping for drivers, Verstappen openly advised them to hire Bortoleto, who had clinched that year's Formula 2 Title (he was Formula 3 Champion in 2023), and that is exactly what the Swiss team, who will become Audi in 2026, did.

Since then, and despite having a slow start to his career in the top flight, Bortoleto has proven to be a promising talent, stacking up well against an experienced teammate in the form of Nico Hulkenberg.

Hulkenberg, according to Bortoleto, has played a supportive role, especially over the course of the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend, where the rookie endured a miserable Formula 1 weekend at home, crashing out both in the Sprint Race and the Grand Prix.

Taking part in the Pelas Pistas podcast with Verstappen alongside him, Bortoleto revealed Hulkenberg's words of support; he said: "He said one in 20, 20 years in Formula 1.

"You're going to have a lot of good and bad moments. I've had a lot of moments like that. It's just going to strengthen you. He's proud of what I've done this year. I'm going to keep going strong, and the good moments will come."

As for Verstappen, on the same show, he reiterated his belief in Bortoleto's potential and revealed that he pointed out as much to Red Bull, especially in the context of having a plan for the future.

The Dutchman said: "I already said to the team before you even got to Formula 1, 'Keep an eye on Gabi.' But now we're all here, and let's just see how it evolves.

"First of all, I don’t even know how long I’m going to do myself. I have a contract until 2028, but after that, nothing is agreed on or what. I don’t even know myself," he added.

Bortoleto, for the foreseeable future, is locked in a contract with Sauber and will become an Audi F1 works driver in 2026.

Verstappen went on: "I just hope for Gabi that he gets an opportunity within the next three, four years to be really competitive in the front and fight for podiums.

"Then, if that’s in the same team, even better, because that means that we are both fighting for the best positions," the reigning F1 Champion concluded.

Bortoleto us currently 19th in the 2025 F1 Drivers' Championship with 19 points to his name. His best result so far is sixth place in the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix.