Gabriel Bortoleto shares whether he would stay friends with Max Verstappen in an F1 title battle

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F1 rookie Gabriel Bortoleto has a great relationship with several important figures in the paddock, including a certain Max Verstappen.

The Brazilian is close friends with the four-time champion, and he has had quite the influence on his F1 career. Verstappen was talking to teams about signing Bortoleto for 2025, with Sauber striking a deal for the young star.

The 20-year-old came into F1 with an impressive junior career, having won the F3 and F2 titles back-to-back in his first season. Joining Sauber, who scored just four points in 2024, he was expected to struggle at the back, but he has exceeded expectations.

Bortoleto has been outqualifying his experienced teammate Nico Hulkenberg, even breaking into Q3 quite regularly. Scoring his first points in Austria, he has 18 points to his name thus far, achieving a best finish of sixth in Budapest.

Verstappen congratulated Bortoleto after he scored his first points in F1 in Austria. The Dutchman’s support has gone a long way in helping the Sauber driver develop, but that could all change.

Gabriel Bortoleto says he will stay ‘respectful’ with Max Verstappen if they become title rivals

Bortoleto is being backed for big things in F1 as Audi take over Sauber and join the sport in 2026. While Audi will not have the strongest engine next season, their success in motorsport has got many excited about their F1 prospects.

Bortoleto knows that the German manufacturer will want to start winning races soon, and he is determined to achieve that feat. That could see him become a championship rival for Verstappen.

Verstappen has been secretly helping Bortoleto with circuits that he has never raced on before. While the Brazilian admits that will ‘absolutely’ change if they become rivals, he says the pair will remain ‘respectful’.

Asked if his relationship with Verstappen would change if they fought for the title, Bortoleto said via Beyond The Grid: “Yes. Absolutely. I mean, he wouldn’t give me the tools, the tips he gives, probably because we are fighting, but this is normal, it’s our profession. And that’s what we do.

“And I still believe we would be respectful to each other, friends, and I don’t think we would be practising as much as we do together anymore, because I wouldn’t want him to see some things and he wouldn’t want me to see other things.”

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto? Everything you need to know

Gabriel Bortoleto is being targeted by top F1 teams

Bortoleto’s impressive performances in 2025 have got people around the paddock noticing him, with many eyeing up his signature for the future.

Manager Fernando Alonso is preparing Bortoleto’s next step in F1 as interest begins to grow. Ted Kravitz says ‘all the top teams’ want Bortoleto, but he is not keen on leaving Audi just yet.

He is attracted to the project at the German outfit, but the interest from some of F1’s elite may be too good to ignore. Ferrari are keeping an eye on Bortoleto as a possible option for 2027 if Lewis Hamilton decides to retire.

Bernie Ecclestone has told Ferrari to sign Bortoleto after seeing his displays this season. If he can keep up his results over the next 18 months, he could find himself in Maranello.