"Max Verstappen Backs Rising Star Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025

“Max Verstappen Backs Rising Star Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025 Sauber F1 Seat“

Max Verstappen, the reigning three-time Formula 1 world champion, has endorsed 20-year-old Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto as his pick for a potential F1 seat with Sauber in 2025. Bortoleto, currently leading the Formula 2 championship, has caught Verstappen’s eye as a rising star, with the Dutch driver advocating for the young talent to be signed sooner rather than later. Sauber, which will become Audi’s works team in 2026, is searching for a second driver to join veteran Nico Hulkenberg for the upcoming season, and Verstappen believes Bortoleto is the right candidate for the job.

Speaking during a press conference ahead of the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix, Verstappen expressed his confidence in Bortoleto’s abilities, stating, “If I was Sauber, I would’ve signed him already.” He further elaborated that integrating a young driver like Bortoleto ahead of the 2026 rule changes would be a smart move, allowing the rookie time to adjust to the team and the car while making any necessary early mistakes. This preparation, Verstappen argued, would position him perfectly for the upcoming technical shake-up when Audi takes over.

Bortoleto’s impressive track record in junior categories supports Verstappen’s backing. The Brazilian won the 2023 Formula 3 championship in his rookie season and has transitioned seamlessly into Formula 2, where he currently leads the championship standings by a narrow margin of 4.5 points. His performances have garnered increasing attention within the motorsport community, and he is widely considered one of the brightest prospects of his generation.

Not only has Verstappen thrown his support behind Bortoleto, but others in the F1 paddock have also praised the young driver. Oscar Piastri, the Australian F1 driver who himself quickly ascended through the ranks of Formula 3 and Formula 2 to secure his place in Formula 1, spoke highly of Bortoleto’s accomplishments. Piastri remarked, “Winning F3 as a rookie and now leading F2—those results speak for themselves. When you’re achieving at that level, you deserve a spot in F1.”

Piastri, who faced his own struggles securing an F1 seat despite his success in junior formulas, empathized with the challenge Bortoleto might face in breaking into the top tier. He voiced his hope that Bortoleto’s path to Formula 1 would be smoother than his own, highlighting the intense competition for limited seats in the sport.

Bortoleto is currently a member of McLaren’s Driver Development program, and McLaren team principal Andrea Stella also commented on the Brazilian’s prospects. Stella acknowledged Bortoleto’s success in junior categories, calling his performances in Formula 2 “very impressive.” He further indicated that McLaren would not stand in the way of Bortoleto securing an F1 seat with another team, signaling the team’s openness to allowing the young driver to take his next step if the opportunity arises.

With Sauber’s 2025 driver lineup still undecided, the momentum behind Bortoleto is growing. Verstappen’s endorsement, combined with Piastri’s and McLaren’s support, may provide the push needed to bring the young Brazilian into Formula 1. As Sauber prepares for its transformation into Audi’s works team in 2026, the team will be looking for drivers who can help them compete at the highest level, and Bortoleto appears to be a promising candidate to fulfill that role.

Verstappen’s recommendation underscores the potential Bortoleto holds, and the Formula 2 leader’s future in F1 now seems closer than ever.