Gabriel Bortoleto admits that Max Verstappen is almost his ‘manager’ in Formula 1

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Gabriel Bortoleto has been getting information from Max Verstappen during his time in Formula 1.

The start of the 2026 Formula 1 season was a good showing from Gabriel Bortoleto and Audi at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Bortoleto is in his second year in the series, after joining Sauber in 2025, and remaining with the team as they transitioned to Audi for the 2026 season.

In Audi’s debut race in Formula 1, Nico Hulkenberg failed to finish the race, whereas Bortoleto crossed the line in ninth place and secured two points in Melbourne.

Ahead of the second Grand Prix of the season, Bortoleto has revealed the Formula 1 driver that he has learnt the most from during his career.

What do you expect from Gabriel Bortoleto in the 2026 F1 season?

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Max Verstappen is Gabriel Bortoleto’s unofficial manager

Whilst speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Bortoleto discussed his relationship with fellow Formula 1 driver, Max Verstappen.

The Brazilian driver revealed that Verstappen is ‘a little bit like’ his manager as he tells him ‘literally everything about his career’.

Bortoleto said, “Max is a great friend, and probably the one I have learnt the most from. I talk to him about everything, literally everything about my career. He is not my manager, but he looks a little bit like it sometimes.

“He is always very open with me, and I am very happy about it. I am very grateful, he does it because he wants to help, because he does not gain anything from that.”

What chance do you give Gabriel Bortoleto of living up to Max Verstappen’s prediction this season?

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Max Verstappen predicts Bortoleto to get a podium in 2026

Despite the new challenge that Bortoleto is a part of with the Audi Revolut F1 Team, there have been high expectations for him in his second season.

Verstappen has backed Bortoleto to have success during the 2026 season, as Verstappen has predicted that the Audi driver will get an unexpected podium during this year.

The relationship between Bortoleto and Verstappen has spanned many years as the Dutch driver attempted to get Bortoleto into the Red Bull programme earlier in his career.

Verstappen and Bortoleto have participated in virtual sim races together in the past, which has led to the drivers sharing advice and discussing their careers.