News Summary

Gabriel Bortoleto has revealed that he regularly asks Max Verstappen for advice on how to transform Audi into a Formula 1-winning team, even discussing Red Bull’s development during their online gaming sessions. The Brazilian is determined to build a long-term future with the German manufacturer despite watching former junior rivals Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar achieve greater success during their early F1 careers.

In an interview with Roberto Chinchero for Autosport, Bortoleto explained that his friendship with Verstappen has become a valuable source of information about the challenges involved in developing a competitive Formula 1 organisation. Rather than focusing exclusively on driving techniques, the 22-year-old wants to understand how Red Bull operated during the years before Verstappen secured his first world championship.

The conversations have become particularly relevant as Audi works through its first season as a full factory team, having taken over Sauber’s Formula 1 operation. Bortoleto is currently 15th in the Drivers’ Championship, while Audi occupies eighth place among the constructors.

Bortoleto reveals what he asks Verstappen about Red Bull

Bortoleto and Verstappen have developed a close friendship through their shared interest in sim racing, regularly spending time together online outside Formula 1 weekends.

The Brazilian explained that their conversations frequently move beyond the games themselves, particularly when he wants to understand how Verstappen dealt with the difficulties of building Red Bull into a championship-winning operation.

“I talk to Max often,” Bortoleto told Autosport, adding that they discuss his development, Audi’s progress and what the Dutchman experienced before winning his first title.

Bortoleto is particularly interested in the internal workings of a successful team, including the relationship between drivers, engineers and management during periods when victories are not yet possible.

He acknowledged that some of those questions arise spontaneously while the pair are playing video games.

The four-time world champion spent several seasons helping Red Bull develop before winning his first Drivers’ Championship in 2021. That experience provides Bortoleto with a reference for his own ambitions at Audi, where immediate victories are not yet realistic.

The Brazilian had previously expressed his admiration for Verstappen’s long-term relationship with Red Bull. As GRANDE PRÊMIO reported in August, Bortoleto described the possibility of building a similarly successful partnership with Audi as a dream.

His latest comments provide more detail about how he is attempting to learn from Verstappen’s experience rather than simply reproduce his results.

Antonelli and Hadjar pull ahead, but Bortoleto refuses to panic

Bortoleto’s situation contrasts with those of Antonelli and Hadjar, two drivers he competed against throughout the junior categories.

Antonelli leads the 2026 Drivers’ Championship with Mercedes and has already established himself as a multiple Grand Prix winner. Hadjar has secured podium finishes since joining Red Bull, while Bortoleto continues fighting for points in Audi’s midfield machinery.

The Brazilian acknowledged that watching his former rivals compete near the front has been challenging, particularly after years of winning races and championships himself.

However, he insisted that their results do not change his assessment of his own potential.

Bortoleto reminded Autosport that he had competed successfully against both drivers in the junior categories and understood what he was capable of achieving.

He also suggested that comparing their careers after only two Formula 1 seasons would be premature, because their opportunities have been shaped by very different teams and levels of competitiveness.

Bortoleto won the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship and the 2024 Formula 2 Championship in consecutive rookie seasons. He defeated Hadjar in the F2 title battle, while Antonelli finished sixth that year.

The Brazilian subsequently joined Sauber for 2025, ahead of the team’s transition into Audi’s factory operation.

His first two seasons in Formula 1 have required a different approach from his championship-winning junior campaigns.

Instead of fighting for victories, Bortoleto has frequently needed to measure his progress through qualifying performance, points finishes and the team’s development.

As GRANDE PRÊMIO examined in its analysis of Bortoleto’s first Audi season, reliability problems and difficult race situations have complicated his progress, although he has demonstrated competitive pace against experienced teammate Nico Hülkenberg.

Bortoleto believes Audi can become a winning F1 team

Despite the differences between his results and those of Antonelli and Hadjar, Bortoleto insists that he does not regard Audi as a temporary destination.

The Brazilian wants to remain part of the manufacturer’s long-term project and eventually compete for victories with the team.

He explained that the opportunity to contribute to Audi’s development is one of his main sources of motivation, particularly because the organisation has established a clear plan to improve its competitiveness over several seasons.

Bortoleto also acknowledged that the transition from winning in Formula 2 to fighting for points in Formula 1 has required considerable patience.

He believes Audi’s progress will eventually provide him with the machinery needed to demonstrate his potential at the front of the grid.

That confidence has been reinforced by the manufacturer’s long-term investment in its factory operation, including the development of its own power unit and the expansion of technical facilities.

However, the project has encountered difficulties during its first season, with the team struggling to match the pace of the leading manufacturers.

The contrast between Audi’s current position and Mercedes’ dominance has become particularly visible as Antonelli approaches his first world championship.

Bortoleto nevertheless argues that the competitive order can change quickly under Formula 1’s new regulations, making it important to continue developing rather than focus exclusively on immediate results.

Binotto becomes another important mentor

Alongside Verstappen, Bortoleto has developed a close working relationship with Mattia Binotto, the former Ferrari team principal who now leads Audi’s Formula 1 project.

Binotto’s experience includes periods of championship success at Ferrari, where he worked in engineering and senior management roles before taking responsibility for the team.

Bortoleto said he regularly turns to the Italian for advice about the challenges of competing in a team that is still developing.

He described Binotto as more than a conventional team principal, explaining that their relationship has become sufficiently close for him to discuss personal matters as well as professional concerns.

The Brazilian had not expected such an informal relationship with the person leading his team, but believes the support has helped him manage the pressures of Formula 1.

Binotto and Verstappen provide different perspectives on the same challenge. The Italian understands how to organise and develop a racing team, while the Dutchman has experienced the process from the cockpit.

Bortoleto hopes to apply those lessons as Audi attempts to improve its competitiveness during the final races of 2026 and prepare for next season.

Bortoleto’s determination began long before Formula 1

The Brazilian also reflected on the sacrifices required to reach Formula 1, revealing that he had never seriously considered an alternative career.

During his junior years, people around him frequently encouraged him to develop a backup plan in case an F1 opportunity failed to materialise.

Bortoleto admitted that he resisted those suggestions, even becoming frustrated when people questioned whether his performances would be enough to secure a place on the grid.

One of the defining moments of his career came at Monza in 2024, when he recovered from the back of the Formula 2 grid to win the Feature Race during his championship battle with Hadjar.

The victory strengthened his title campaign and helped demonstrate his ability to recover from difficult circumstances.

Bortoleto subsequently secured the F2 championship and received confirmation that he would race for Sauber in 2025.

He recalled being at home in Milan when his manager informed him of the agreement, initially believing that the opportunity would only become available in 2026.

The news prompted an emotional video call with his family in Brazil, who had supported his career through years of karting and international competition.

His father, mother and brother had made significant sacrifices to help him progress, including long periods of travel and separation while he competed in Europe.

The next stage of Bortoleto’s career now depends on Audi’s ability to develop a competitive Formula 1 package.

The championship resumes at the United States Grand Prix in Austin on October 23–25, where the Brazilian will attempt to return to the points after a difficult Singapore weekend.