Gabriel Bortoleto grateful for ‘inspiration’ Max Verstappen: ‘Helps me on a personal level too’

Since his F1 debut, Gabriel Bortoleto has built a close friendship with Max Verstappen. The young Brazilian is in close contact with the four-time world champion, whom he sees as an important source of inspiration. During the Dutch GP at Zandvoort, he spoke openly about the lessons he learns from Verstappen and revealed that the Dutchman not only provides him with racing advice.

Bortoleto and Verstappen are regularly spotted together in the paddock. Moreover, last year they both appeared on the Brazilian show Pelas Pistas, a rare podcast appearance by the Dutch Red Bull driver. Bortoleto explained to De Telegraaf last weekend how their relationship began. “I first met him during the Monaco GP,” said the 21-year-old Audi driver. “When I saw him walking in the paddock, I went to ask him for advice. I immediately noticed how pure and genuine he was. After that, we saw each other a few more times and started gaming online.”

“That’s how a very beautiful bond was formed,” Bortoleto proudly stated. “Not only with Verstappen, but also with everyone at Team Redline (Verstappen’s sim racing team, ed.). It doesn’t matter where you come from or whether you’re an F1 driver or not. We all behave the same as five years ago. Max has achieved so much in his career, but has remained the same person. That inspires me too. The advantage is that we are not really competitors, because he drives further ahead with Red Bull. I hope to build something here at Audi and Max helps me with that. I can ask him absolutely anything. He has broadened my perspective in many areas, including on a personal level. We keep that between us, but if he reads this, he knows what I’m talking about.”

Same spin at Zandvoort

Both Bortoleto and Verstappen look back on a disappointing weekend in the Dutch dunes. Both lost control in the Arie Luyendijkbocht, notably on the first lap. Verstappen crashed into the wall and had to retire early from his last home race. Bortoleto narrowly avoided trouble, but although he had started from P9, his chances of a points finish were gone. “It was a bit of a reaction to what I saw happening in front of me,” the Brazilian said about his spin. “But anyway, I lost the car and a few positions there. I don’t think my race was necessarily determined by that. Many other things were at play today,” he stated.

“To be honest, it could only have happened in that corner,” Bortoleto added. “It was really as if it was completely wet there. I think that’s why Max also lost the car,” he revealed. “The same thing actually happened to me. I was at the bottom of the banking and I think I made a small movement to the left when I saw a big cloud of smoke in front of me. And then I spun myself too.”