Max Verstappen has told Red Bull to ‘keep an eye’ on one F1 driver who could be a future star

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Max Verstappen says he doesn’t know if he’ll continue in Formula 1 beyond the expiry of his contract. His current deal at Red Bull runs until the end of 2028.

Of course, it’s not yet clear whether he’ll honour that agreement. Verstappen can leave Red Bull next year if he finishes outside the top two in the championship, and the team’s prospects under the new regulations are uncertain.

Red Bull are expected to promote Isack Hadjar to the second cockpit for 2026. The exciting Racing Bulls rookie would replace the underperforming Yuki Tsunoda.

However, speaking on the Pelas Pistas podcast, Verstappen said an external option should be on the team’s radar too.

Max Verstappen hints that Gabriel Bortoleto could be his successor at Red Bull

Gabriel Bortoleto has delivered an impressive rookie season at Sauber, with the highlight a sixth-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

While the Brazilian is only 19th in the championship, he’s outperformed highly-rated veteran Nico Hulkenberg in qualifying, and they are level in the race head-to-head.

The two drivers appeared together on the aforementioned podcast and were asked whether they could maintain their friendship if they raced for the same team. Verstappen talked up Bortoleto’s credentials for a top F1 drive.

“The personality of the person, whatever you do off track, will decide if you can be good friends,” he said. “We’ve seen in the past between other teammates, it’s not been great.

“I already said to the team, before he got to Formula 1, keep an eye on Gabi. Now, we’re all here, and let’s just see how it evolves.

“I don’t even know how long I’m going to do myself. I know that I have a contract until ’28, but after that, nothing is agreed.

“In general, I hope for Gabi that he gets an opportunity within the next three or four years to really be competitive at the front and fight for podiums. If that’s in the same team, then even better.”

Gabriel Bortoleto has already been linked with a top F1 team, but it’s not Red Bull

Verstappen has been giving Bortoleto advice during his rookie year, and the Sauber driver accepts that this wouldn’t continue if they fought for a championship. But he does think they could stay friends in the same garage.

“I really believe the relationship can be the same,” he said. “Obviously, there are limits, if we are fighting for a world championship, he’s not going to tell me [what to do].”

• READ MORE: Gabriel Bortoleto shares how learning from Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso changed his approach to F1

Bortoleto’s first Sauber contract runs until the end of 2026, but based on his performance this year, new owners Audi will want to extend that deal. The upcoming transition to a highly-resourced works team strengthens their hand.

Formerly a McLaren junior driver, Bortoleto is already of interest to Ferrari, who could have a vacancy for 2027. The futures of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are both uncertain for different reasons.