Max Verstappen sends four-word message to Gabriel Bortoleto after scoring his first F1 points at the Austrian Grand Prix

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Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto became the latest driver to score his first Formula 1 points at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Heading into the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season, many would have predicted Gabriel Bortoleto to finish bottom of the drivers’ championship.

Sauber finished bottom of the constructors’ standings last year, and multiple race winner Valtteri Bottas took part in 24 Grand Prix weekends without scoring a point.

What chance, therefore, did Bortoleto have during his first campaign, with Sauber looking concerningly poor during pre-season testing?

Nico Hulkenberg immediately allayed new team principal Jonathan Wheatley’s fears about a pointless campaign at the opening race in Australia by finishing seventh.

The German currently sits in the top 10 of the championship and has recorded three points-scoring finishes on the bounce.

What will really encourage Sauber is the fact that Hulkenberg was able to finish ninth after starting from the back of the grid.

However, Bortoleto proved good friend Max Verstappen right with his performances across the Austrian Grand Prix, finishing in the top 10 in every single session.

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

Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso congratulate Gabriel Bortoleto after the Austrian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen was only able to watch the Austrian Grand Prix from the sidelines after being taken out by Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap.

Bortoleto did well to avoid the collision, and after the race in the media pen, as per Autosport on Instagram, Verstappen said: “Well done, my man!”

Bortoleto replied to the four-time world champion and said: “Thanks for all your help!” highlighting the strong relationship the pair have.

Fernando Alonso is Bortoleto’s manager and had a fantastic battle with the young Brazilian during the closing stages of the race.

The Aston Martin star denied Bortoleto seventh by nailing a one-stop strategy, and on Instagram after the race, he said: “What a weekend, congrats!”

Talking to the Swiss outlet Blick after the race, Bortoleto shared what his mentor said to him when he went up to congratulate him immediately after the race.

He recalled Alonso stating, “I’m very proud of you. I needed that after all the disappointments so far.”

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Alice Powell names Gabriel Bortoleto her Driver of the Day at the Austrian Grand Prix

Speaking on the Chequered Flag Podcast, racing driver and pundit Alice Powell was asked to give her driver of the day and said: “It’s a tough one, I think Bortoleto did a really good job actually.

“Of course, Lando did a fantastic job, but Bortoleto was aggressive, he did great in qualifying, OK, that was yesterday, but to score his first points in the Sauber is a pretty good job.

“So, as much as I’d love to give it to Norris for, of course, winning the race, I think I’m going to give it to Bortoleto.”

Hulkenberg has been left seriously impressed by Bortoleto since they started working together this season.

Sauber weren’t expected to do much this season, with the takeover of Audi ahead of the 2026 F1 season set to be the main priority.

However, they’ve now put themselves in a position where they can look to the top of the midfield battle, with two drivers proving they’re more than capable of scoring points.