Source:REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
[Saba Sports News] Gabriel Bortoleto recently revealed that four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen has given him significant support throughout his career, including important contract advice. Bortoleto stated that when he was still a young driver facing crucial decisions, Verstappen was his most trusted advisor, particularly regarding the important decision of whether to sign with McLaren. Bortoleto has achieved impressive results in the junior formulas, winning the 2023 F3 championship and the 2024 F2 championship, and is regarded as a standout among the new generation. After winning the F3 title, he joined McLaren’s young driver program, a decision not made solely on instinct. Bortoleto mentioned that he specifically sought Verstappen’s opinion at that time, hoping to understand whether this developmental path was reasonable from the perspective of a top F1 driver. He revealed that Verstappen’s advice was not about telling him what to do, but rather sharing personal experiences and views in a very candid manner, helping him weigh the pros and cons more comprehensively. Bortoleto described that his relationship with Verstappen has long transcended that of ordinary friends. This season, the two have often interacted both on and off the track, participating in simulator training, online gaming, and even public live streams together.